IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


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£   KS    12.0 


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Photographic 
Sciences 

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23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


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CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHIVi/ICIVIK 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Catiadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


The  Institute  has  attempted  to  obtain  the  best 
original  copy  available  for  filming.  Features  of  this 
copy  which  may  be  bibliographically  unique, 
which  may  alter  any  of  the  images  in  the 
reproduction,  or  which  may  significantly  change 
the  usual  method  of  filming,  are  checked  below. 


0 


D 


D 


D 


D 


D 


Coloured  covers/ 
Couverture  de  couleur 


I      I    Covers  damaged/ 


Couverture  endommagde 


Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaurie  et/ou  pelliculde 


I      I    Cover  title  missing/ 


Le  titre  de  couverture  manque 


□    Coloured  maps/ 
Cartes  g6ographiques  en  couleur 


Coloured  ink  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  black)/ 
Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 


I      I    Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 


Planches  et/ou  illustrations  en  couleur 

Bound  with  other  material/ 
Relid  avec  d'autres  documents 

Tight  binding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion 
along  interior  margin/ 

Lareliure  serr^e  peut  causer  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
distortion  le  long  de  la  marge  int^rieure 

Blank  leaves  added  during  restoration  may 
appear  within  the  text.  Whenever  possible,  these 
have  been  omitted  from  filming/ 
II  se  peut  que  certaines  pages  blanches  ajout6es 
lors  d'une  restauration  apparais^ent  dans  le  texte, 
mais,  lorsque  cela  6tait  possible,  ces  pages  n'ont 
pas  6x6  filmdes. 

Additional  comments:/ 
Commentaires  suppldmentaires; 


L'Institut  a  microfilm^  le  meilleur  exemplaire 
qu'il  lui  a  6t6  possible  de  se  procurer.  Les  details 
de  cet  exemplaire  qui  sont  peut-dtre  uniques  du 
point  de  vue  bibliographique,  qui  peuvent  modifier 
une  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une 
modification  dans  la  -nithode  normale  de  filmage 
sont  indiqu6s  ci-dessous. 

□    Coloured  pages/ 
Pages  de  couleur 

□    Pages  damaged/ 
Pages  endommagdes 

□    Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Pages  restaur^es  et/ou  pellicul^es 


v^ 


D 


Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 
Pages  ddcolordes,  tacheties  ou  piqu6es 


I      I    Pages  detached/ 


Pages  ddtachdes 

Showthroughy 
Transparence 

Quality  of  prir 

Quality  inigale  de  I'impression 

Includes  supplementary  materii 
Comprend  du  materiel  supplementaire 

Only  edition  available/ 
Seule  Edition  disponible 


r~3  Showthrough/ 

I      I  Quality  of  print  varies/ 

I      I  Includes  supplementary  material/ 

I      I  Only  edition  available/ 


Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
slips,  tissues,  etc.,  have  been  refilmed  to 
ensure  the  best  possible  image/ 
Les  pages  totalement  ou  partiellement 
obscurcies  par  un  feuillet  d'errata,  une  pelure, 
etc.,  ont  6t^  filmdes  6  nouveau  de  facon  d 
obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  filmi  au  taux  de  reduction  indiqud  ci-dessous. 


10X 

14X 

18X 

22X 

26X 

30X 

y 

12X 


16X 


20X 


24X 


28X 


32X 


e 

^tails 
s  du 
lodifier 
r  une 
Image 


The  copy  filmed  here  has  been  reproduced  thanks 
to  the  generosity  of: 

National  Library  of  Canada 


The  imagjs  appearing  here  are  the  best  quality 
possible  considering  the  condition  and  legibility 
of  the  original  copy  and  in  keeping  with  the 
filming  contract  specifications. 


L'exemplaire  filmd  fut  reproduit  grdce  d  la 
g6n6rosit6  de: 

Bibliothdque  nationale  du  Canada 


Les  images  suivantos  cnt  6t6  reproduites  avec  Ic 
plus  grand  soin,  compte  tenu  de  la  condition  et 
de  la  nettet6  de  l'exemplaire  film6,  et  en 
conformity  avec  les  conditions  du  contrat  de 
filmage. 


Original  copies  in  printed  paper  covers  are  filmed 
beginning  with  the  front  cover  and  ending  on 
the  last  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, or  the  back  cover  when  appropriate.  All 
other  original  copies  are  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  illustrated  Impression. 


Les  exemplaires  originaux  dont  la  couverture  en 
papier  est  imprimde  sont  filmds  en  commenpant 
par  le  premier  plat  et  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration,  soit  par  le  second 
plat,  selon  le  cas.  Tous  les  autres  exemplaires 
originaux  sont  filmds  en  commenpant  par  la 
premidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  —^'  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 


Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparaitra  sur  la 
dernidre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbole  — ►  signifie  "A  SUIVRE",  le 
symbole  y  signifie  "FIN". 


Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  dtre 
film6s  d  des  taux  de  reduction  diff^rents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  dtre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  clich6,  ii  est  filmd  d  partir 
de  i'angle  supdrieur  gauche,  de  gauche  d  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  n6cessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  mdthode. 


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ORIGIN  AND  FORMATION 


A 


or  THB 


BAPTIST   CHURCH, 

GnANVILLE-BTHEET,   HALIFAX,   NOVA-SCOTIA, 
CONSTITUTED  ON  THE  30th  OF  SEPTEMBER,  A.  D.  182T, 

IN    WHICH   SOME   NOTICE   IS   TAKEN 
OF   THB 

»  » 

zwrZiVBKOii  or  bvawobziZoaxi  tbutb, 

AirO  OF   THE 

MOTIVES  WHICH  INDUCED  A  RECENT  SEPARATION 

FROM   THE 

CHURCH  OF  ENGLAND. 


Prone  all  things ;  hold  fast  that  which  is  good. — 1  Thess.  v.  21. 


HALIFAX : 

PRINTED   AT   THE   NOVA-SCOTIAN   OFFICE. 

Hoston : 

REPRINTED   BY   LINCOLN   &   EDMANDS,  59  WASHINQTON-S 

1828. 


O'h 


n 


)     !•  -■' 


\ 


..Vi.-  lii^,-^ 


:^;5S^ifeiii3LiLlli:.;:v 


'■.^■'■-•y^  ■■ 


PART  I. 

Influence  of  Evangelical  Truth. — Prcvnknt  Error  in  Rdiginn  — 
Separation  from  the  Estnbli.ihmnnt. — C'lurrh  Discipline. — Bap- 
tism.— 'Correspondence  to  obtain  a  Mlnist  er. 


A? 


IF  the  histories  of  nations  and  the  biography  of  distincfuished  in- 
dividuals merit  the  place  thny  occupy  ip  the  studious  attonti  )n  of 
mankind ;  the  dealings  of  God  in  his  Providence  must,  certainly, 
present  a  theme  of  no  less  interest  and  importance.  This,  perhaps, 
is  generally  felt  to  be  true,  with  refciunce  to  the  varied  course  of 
human  events,  as  leading  merely  to  temporary  results ;  but  how 
vastly  magnified  is  the  claim  made  on  our  earnest  consideration, 
when  the  effects  of  those  events  are  not  limited  to  the  narrow  con- 
fines of  time,  but  swell  the  spreading  circles  of  their  influence 
through  the  boundless  extent  of  an  infinite  existence. 

In  this  view  the  attention  of  the  Public  is  invited  to  the  follow- 
ing Sketch,  the  object  of  which  is,  briefly  and  with  simplicity,  to 
take  a  review  of  some  of  the  most  striking  particulars  connected 
with  the  recent  establishment  of  a  Baptist  Church  in  Halifax.  The 
friends  of  tliia  little  Society  will  not  be  unwilling  to  receive  a  more 
detailed  and  correct  narrative  of  its  formation  than  common  rumour 
is  likely  to  convey  ;  and,  if  any  important  instruction  should  fail 
to  be  communicated,  yet,  as  a  portion  of  tbe  Religious  History  of 
this  rising  Colony,  and  of  the  Community  of  Halifax,  a  memoir  of 
this  sort  may  be  not  altogether  devoid  of  general  interest. 

Some  years  have  now  elapsed  since  several  instances  occurred, 
among  the  members  of  the  Ciiurch  o'"  f'ngland  in  these  Colonies, 
of  the  influence  of  those  views  of  u.'-  SiO  Truth  which  have,  in 
modern  times,  been  sometimes  designated  by  the  epithet  "  Evan- 
gelical." These  views  may  be  portrayed  in  a  few  words.  They 
comprise  a  conviction  of  the  mind  and  heart,  that,  as  sinners  in 
the  sight  of  God,  we,  by  nature,'  lie  under  a  just  sentence  of  eter- 
nal wrath ;  that  salvation  from  this  state  is  to  be  found  only  in  the 
righteousness  and  deatli  of  Jesus  Christ,  by  faith  in  him;  that  this 
faith  is  the  "  gift  of  God,"  who,  by  the  iuflueuce  of  his  Spirit, 


111 


■•*'"^t*"£j 


produces  i\  in  fhc  soul,  nn«!  thorehy  rrgpnrrates  the  sii])j(!Ct  of  this 
inlluorico,  uiid  rfiirwH  him  in  llic  f<\ur[t  ol'liirt  iniiul,  excites  in  liiin 
an  nverHion  tVoni  sin,  and  ciriMes  liim  to  resist,  iind  overcniiu*  its 
power  in  proportion  to  the  dej^reo  of  IiIh  t'aitli  in  the  Word  ol'tiod. 

Such,  briefly,  may  ho  received  as  the  distiiiuiuishinK  features  of 
these  views;  and,  if  no  more  were  M)ii;,'lit  than  an  abstract  state- 
ment of  them,  tlu;  present  memoir  might  scen>  to  demand  no  fur- 
tht.T  enlargement  on  this  subject ;  but  when  the  minds  of  any  who 
trust  they  have  been,  in  however  small  a  measure,  made  partakers 
of  the  "  un»peakai)le  gift"  (d(iod,  are  thus  led  to  retrace  a  path  of 
unutterable  mercy,  once  more  to  Tin;ditato  upon  the  steps  of  a  de- 
liverance which  no  mortal  ton;.'iie  can  fully  declare,  and  thus,  as  it 
were,  to  act  over  again  scenes  fraught  with  an  interest  and  a  sig- 
niticancy  which  eternity  alone  can  measure,  it  ia  difficult  for  such 
to  confine  their  rennrks  to  a  bare  and  succinct  specification  of  tlio 
doctrines  which  wrought  in  thwi  that  marvellous  change  at  which 
angels  rejoice  (I) ;  the  memory  of  the  past  recalls  many  an  aflisct- 
ing  passage  in  their  refigious  experience,  when  their  hearts  have 
yearned  over  those  to  whom  the  story  of  what  they  had  heard,  and 
8cen,  and  felt,  was,  as  it  were,  "  a  certain  strange  thing,"  or  a  "  cun« 
ningly  devised  fable."  Such  feeling  is  naturally  rekindled  by  the 
recollection  ;  and  it  may  plead  their  apology,  if,  through  the  means 
of  this  memoir,  they  beseech  the  attention  of  their  friends,  and  of 
all  under  whoso  notice  these  hundilc  pages  may  lall,  to  a  plain  and 
unaflbctcd  relation  of  that  great  thing  which,  they  trust,  the  Lord 
has  done  for  their  souls. 

There  was  a  time  when  they  were  ignorant  of  the  s])iritual- 
ity  and  extent,  the  length  and  breadth,  of  the  divine  law,  which 
regards  not  merely  outward  actions,  but  takes  cognizance  of 
the  thoughts,  intents  and  motives  of  the  heart — a  time  when 
they  "drank  iniquity  like  water  ;"(2)  or,  if  education,  or  con- 
venience, fear,  or  the  love  of  reputation,  preserved  them  in  that 
course  of  moral  conduct  which  is  consistent  with  the  good  order 
of  decent  society ;  yet  were  they  destitute  of  genuine  religion ; 
they  lived,  in  reality,. without  God  in  the  world;  they  sought  not 
his  glory  ;  they  delighted  not  in  his  service  ;  prayer  and  praise, 
instead  of  being  sweet  privileges,  were  irksome  and  barren  duties; 
they  sought  their  own  way,  and  were  "  lov(!rs  of  pleasure  more 
than  lovers  of  God  ;"(!$)  and  tlm^,  (however  specious  their  e.\ter- 


wl 

pel 
Wll 

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Pi 


(1)  Luke  XV.  10. 


(2)  Job  XV.  16. 


(3)  2  Tim.  iii.  1. 


•'^--fci.V,,  •  ....      .^^ 


^       --^ 


.Air.  .  .  ~-.t 


,'^..^^'    ■        »    . 


mil  )(Brb  of  morality  or  religion,)  continuing  in  cfn.ct  to  lintfl  tho 
wiiVH  niid  the  prcnnncR  of  liini  in  wIiobd  fuvoiir  uluno  in  lifu  and 
peuci*,  tlicy  inuHt  iiniilly  havo  8iuik  down  into  tlio  uwi'ul  |tl;ic(i 
whrnco  ]\\h  biinHfiil  prosenc*!  hIiiiII  Imi  fonivnr  witlidruwri,  mid 
whcru  tliu  lire  of  eternal  wratli  ahull  dry  u(>  every  fouiituiii  ut' 
joy. 

But  the  (J()flp«'l  of  JcBUs  Christ  is  well  dcHcrihod  in  his  word,  as 
•'the  power  olCJod  uiito  salvation  fo  ev(,<ry  tuui  that  heliovtith  ;"(l) 
and  this  (lusprl  it  was  which  aroust-d  tJKMn  from  their  Hlutnbnr.  It 
had  long  been  neghscted;  or  pftriised,  eitluir  with  a  earclcss  and  list- 
less inattention,  or  with  utter  ignorance  of  its  spirituid  import.  But 
now  its  truths  came  "aanrrows  of  the  Almighty;"  now  its  declar- 
ations shone  forth  as  traced  in  charirters  of  celestial  bright- 
ness ;  the  condemning  law  of  (iod  uttuntd  its  denunciations  as 
with  the  trump  of  an  archangel ;  and  !:ow  should  those  who 
heard  tin;  accents  of  Eternal  Truth  pronouncing  that  the  heart  of 
man  is  "deceitful  above  all  things,  and  desperately  wicked  ;"('j) 
that  "th(!  carnal  mind  is  enmity  against  God,  for  it  is  not  subject  to 
the  law  of  God,  neither  indeed  can  bo ;"(:)) — how  should  they 
any  longer  cherish  the  delusive  hope  that  any  goodness  or  righte- 
ousness subsisted  in  them  ?  or,  how  should  those  whoso  ears  were 
opened  to  the  divine  denunciation,  "  The  soul  that  sinneth  it 
shall  die,"  (4)  and  "cursed  is  every  one  that  continuelh  not  in  all 
the  things  which  are  written  in  the  book  of  thclawtodo  tliein,"(5) 
fail  to  [)erceive  that  the  most  entire  corruption  and  inability  or  set- 
tled indisposition  to  do  good,  is  accompa  lied  with  an  awful  sen- 
tence of  just  and  eternal  indignation? 

Thus  far,  then,  was  tlio  Word  of  Truth  already  experienced  to 
be  the  power  of  God,  producing  a  thorough  conviction  of  sin,  in 
its  condemning  and  its  polluting  character,  and  tearing  away  that 
cloak  of  self  righteousness  which  cleaves  so  closely  to  the  huinuit 
mind,  unawakened  by  the  Spirit  of  God. 

A  ruinous  and  wide  spreading  error  on  this  subject  is  abroad 
in  the  world,  coeval  with  the  fall  of  Adam,  and  deeply  rooted  in 
the  heart  of  every  natural  man  ;  until  taught  "  y  the  Spirit  of  Truth, 
he  ivili  not  admit  his  utter  helplessness  and  depravity  ;  but  the 
Gospel  is  addressed  to  none  other  than  the  depraved  and  helpless , 
Jesus  Christ  came  "to  seek  and  to  save  that  which  was  lost  :"(6) 


( 


(1)  Rom.  i.  16. 
(J;  Ezek.  xviii.  20. 


(2)  Jrr.  xvii.  !). 
(5)  Gal.  ui.  10. 


(3)  Rom.  viii.  7. 
(tj)  Luke  \i\.  10. 


'dj 


..^::S.: 


■  ijf-t^r^- 


6 

Evry  riixht  rrcrption  of  troth  must,  thrroforc,  coramoneo  with 
tlio  ktiowloil^n  and  conviction  that  wo  aru  lout  flinuorM  ;    without  it 
wo  cnnnot  believe  in  Clirint  Joitiiri  for  nulvation.     Proud  man  rejects 
thin  hiirnblin?  view  of  human  nature ;  he  cannot  connont  to  abandon 
the  flattering  idea  that,  arnidnt  the  moral  ruin  that  his  heart  exhibits, 
still,  there  may  remain  Nome  inherent  ^oodiioss  which  only  netids 
to  b«  excited  atid  i^nproved,  some  wirtliy  disponitlon  which,  if  not 
alto({ether,  yet  in  part  may  win  his  way  to  heaven ;  and  thus,  if  ho 
do  not  venture  so  far  as  entirely  to  rob  tlw;  Saviour  of  the  glory  of 
salvation,  he  at  least  will  dare  to  divide  it  with  him,  and  to  claim 
a  participation  in  the  merits  of  him,  concerning  whom  an  apOHtIo 
has  naid,  "  there  in  none  other  name  under  heaven,  given  among 
men,  whereby  wo  must  bo  saved. "(I)      This  is  a  most  pernicious 
and  destructivo  sentiment,  utterly  hostile  to  the  whole  tenor  and 
spirit  of  the  Word  of  God,  who  has  revealed  himself  "  a  jualouH 
Ood,"  and  one  that  "  will  not  give  his  glory  to  another."     Here,  it 
is  conceived,  consists  the  grand  distinguishing  peculiarity,  at  the 
present  day,  between   the   doctrine  of  those  teachers   who  ex- 
hibit Jesus  Christ  as  ho  is  revealed  in  Scripture,  and  those  who, 
with  whatever  plausibility  of  argument,  with  whatgvcr  elwiuence  of 
language,  they  may  adorn  their  subject,  and  obscure  their  real  mean- 
ing, are  yet  preaching  altogether  another  Gospel  than  that  preached 
by  our  Lord  and  his  Apostles.     In  contending  against  this  error  it 
was  that  the  martyrs  and  heroes  of  the  Reformation  laboured,  and 
wrote,  ind  died :    and,  for  a  time,  the  influence  which  survived 
them  quelled  this  anti-Christian  spirit  in  the  Reformed  Churches. 
But  error  is  vigorous  and  buoyant.     The  same  views  against  which 
their  most  strenuous  efl()rts  had  been  directed,  gradually  usurped 
the  pulpits  once  filled  with  the  brightest  ornaments  of  Protestant- 
ism ;  the  sun  of  that  Gospel  Era  again  set  in  clouds ;    and  hence, 
there  are  at  this  day  to  be  found,  throughout  the  Protestant  World, 
innumerable  teachers  who  make  no  clear  distinction  in  addressing 
their  audiences,  between  believers  and  unbelievers — between  the 
regenerate  and  the  unregenerate — between  the  righteous  and  the 
wicked  :  they  appear  to  regard  it  as  a  conceded  point,  that  all  who 
hear  them,  except   open   and  avowed  infidels,  ate,  of  course,  be- 
lievers in  Christ.      Hence  it  is,  that  men   continue  blind  to  the 
truth,  that,  il  ever  they  come  to  participate  in  the  blessings  of  re- 


(1)  Acts  iv.  12. 


.^^ti^ 


^**.^  ^•.^.*S^*'«^5^ 


(iemption,  it  munt  bo  through  a  conviction  of  thoir  individual  noeii 
of  redemption,  of  thoir  utler  inahihty,  citlior  in  whole  or  in  piirt, 
to  help  or  rcdoom  their  own  nouIh  ;  and  thus,  through  this  igno- 
rance of  the  utterly  depraved  character  of  human  nature  in  God's 
flight,  a  templing  bait  is  otftirnd  to  the  natural  pridu  of  man,  and  a 
league  is  formed  with  the  willing  traitor  in  liia  heart ;  ho  is  Huduc- 
od  off  the  only  ground  whuro  safety  is  to  bo  obtaincMl,  and  beguiled 
to'  certain  ruin.     Thus  it  is  that  men  cry  "  Peace,  peace,  when 
there  is  no  peace  ;"(l)    that  they  remain  pleonud  with  theniselvea, 
and  know  not  that  they  are  "  wretched,  and  miserable,  and  poor, 
and  blind,  and  naked."(3)     I'be  plain  meaning  of  the  Scripture 
which  testifies,  "  they  that  arc  whole  need  not  a  physician,  but  they 
that  are  sick,"(3)  is  disregarded ;    and  while  in  their  ignorance  of 
the  deep  root  of  their  spiritual  disease,  they  are  ready  to  conceive 
it  possible,  yea,  secretly  believe  that  there  really  may  bo  righteous 
men  who  need  not  the  Gospel  remedy  ;    and  they  fail  to  perceive 
that  they  place  tliomselves  on  the  same  ground  on  which  stood  the 
proud  Pharisees  to  whom  those  words  of  our  Saviour  are  applied, 
and  forget  that  he  has  declared  that  if  our  righteousness  exceed 
not  theirs,  we  cannot  enter  into  the  kingdom  of  God.(4) 

This  too  prevalent  ignorance  of  the  awful  evil  f  sin,  and  of  its 
universal  dominion  over  human  nature,  has  naturally  led  to  a  pro- 
portionate neglect  or  perversion  of  the  doctrine  of  regeneration. 
The  necessity  of  an  entire  change  of  heart  by  the  operation  of 
God's  Holy  Spirit  has  been  well  nigh  lost  sight  of.  Pride  appears 
to  be,  as  it  were,  the  groundwork  of  the  whole  character  of  man. 
Until,  therefore,  he  is  utterly  separated  from  any  refuge  in  himself, 
liis  pride  will  make  him  cling  to  the  fond  though  faithless  vision  of 
his  native  righteousness.  Ilcncc  the  completeness  of  that  change 
which  is  necessary,  is  marked  in  striking  language  in  the  Scriptures. 
"Verily,  verily,  I  say  unto  thee,  except  a  man  be  born  again  he  cannot 
seethe  kingdom  of  God,"  was  the  declaration  of  Jesus  Christ,  solemn* 
ly  announced  to  the  amiable  but  ignorant  Nicodemus.  For  "  thai 
which  is  born  of  the  flesh  is  flesh,  and  that  which  is  born  of  the 
spirit  is  spirit."  Again,  "  Verily,  I  say  unto  you,  except  ye  be 
converted  and  become  as  little  .  iildren,  ye  shall  not  enter  into 
the  kingdom  of  heaveD.(5)    In  conformity  with  their  divine  Mas- 


/•i<i 


I 


1)  Jer.  vl  14. 
4)  Matt.  V.  20. 


(2)  Rev.  iii  17. 
(5)  Man.  xvui.  3. 


(3)  Luke  V.  31, 


-.-..•Lk 


ter,  do  we  find  the  apostles  testifying  that  "he  that  is  in  Christ  is 
a  new  creature ;"(!)  that  "if  any  man  have  not  the  spirit  of 
Christ  he  is  none  of  iiis  ;"(2)  and  designating  tlie  subjects  of  this 
divine  transformation  as  "  born  not  of  blood,  nor  of  the  will  of  the 
flesh,  nor  of  the  will  of  man,  but  of  God. "(3) 

Clearly  as  these  truths  are  revealed  in  the  Sacred  Volume,  the 
pride  of  human  wisdom  rejects  them  with  derision,  and  thus  ex- 
emplifies the  apostolic  declaration  that  "  the  natural  man  reccivet'h 
not  the  things  of  the  Spirit  of  God,  for  they  are  foolishness  ur.to  him, 
neither  can  he  know  them,  for  they  are  spiritually  discerned."  (4) 
And  yet  these  mysterious  truths  are  by  no  means  inconsist- 
ent with  the  soundest  philosophy.  Why  should  the  doctrine  of 
regeneration  be  regarded  as  absurd  ?  We  might  with  propriety 
adopt,  in  this  case,  the  language  of  the  apostle  in  another ;  "  why 
should  it  seem  strange  to  you  that  God  should  raise  the  dead?' 
Why  should  it  appear  more  extraordinary  that  he  should  raise  the 
spiritually  dead?  Is  it  not,  on  the  contrary,  evident,  that  if  men 
are  dead  in  trespasses  and  sins,  they  must  be  thus  raised  to  neW" 
ness  of  life  by  a  supernatural  power  ? — that  if  they  are  entirely 
corrupt,  they  must  have  a  new  spirit  given  them,  before  they  can 
have  any  sincere  desire  to  do  good  ? — that  if  their  hearts  are  by 
nature  "enmity  against  God,"  a  Creative  Power  of  suiHcient  en- 
ergy must  remodel  them,  before  love  can  reign  instead  of  hatred  ? 
He  that  is  in  Christ,  as  has  been  shewn,  is  a  new  creature,  or  new 
creation;  (5)  and  what  ^jower  is  adequate  to  the  task  of  renovating 
the  whole  constitution  of  a  spiritual  existence,  but  the  mighty  one 
"  whose  path  is  in  the  great  waters,  and  whose  footsteps  are  not 
known  ?"  The  truth  respecting  his  state  in  the  sight  of  God,  is  in- 
deed unwelcome  to  blind  man.  He  is  wont  to  call  those  his 
enemies  who  declare  it  plainly.  But  how  absurd  and  unrea- 
sonable, how  awfully  dangerous  is  this !  Let  reason  exercise 
herself,  unrestrained  by  prejudice,  and  we  might  appeal  to  the 
common  sense  of  all :  To  whom,  we  would  ask,  is  the  grati- 
tude of  mankind  nivist  justly  due ;  to  those  who  deny  the  grand 
truths  which  have  been  stated;  the  entire  depravity  of  the 
heart,  in  respect  to  holiness;  the  deep  malignity  and  universal 
prevalence  of  sin ;  the  necessity  of  regeneration  by  the  power  of 


*    8 


(1)  2  Cor.  v.  17.        (2)  Rom.  viii.  9.       (3)  John  i.  13.       (4)  1  Cor.  ii.  14. 
(5)  2  Cor.  v.  17.  K«(»ij  uTi'nf. 


i^L. . 


9 


I    * 


God's  Spirit ;  and  justification  by  faith  alone,  that  is,  gratuitotu. 
salvation  to  the  believer  in  Christ  Jesus ;  and,  denying  these,  ef- 
'fectually  conceal  from  their  own  view,  and  from  that  of  their 
pej'ishing  fellow  mortals — the  friend  from  his  friend — the  parent, 
perhaps,  from  his  own  child — the  pastor  from  his  flock — that  dis- 
closure of  their  real  situation  in  the  sight  of  God,  which  might 
lead  them  to  seek  deliverance  ? — To  those  who,  by  this  means,  be- 
come participators  and  accessaries  in  the  univeisal  ruin  of  man- 
kind, and  render  the  solemn  and  mysterious  scene  acted  on  Calva- 
ry a  matter  of  comparatively  small  moment  ?  Or  ought  not  rather 
this  tribute  to  be  cheerfully  rendered  to  those  more  faithful  disci- 
ples of  the  cross,  who,  beholding  in  the  sufferings  of  him  that  died 
*'the  Just  for  the  unjust,"  the  most  emphails  evidence  of  these  im- 
portant doctrines,  are  ready,  with  benevolent  courage,  to  rush  into 
the  desolation  that  er  or  has  diffused  through  the  world,  and  though 
they  meet  with  hatred,  opposition,  and  contumely,  yet,  knowing 
truth  to  be  the  only  means  of  overcoming  this  very  hostility  and 
reproach,  the  only  remedy  for  the  universal  and  ruinous  disease, 
fearlessly  proclaim  to  maa  his  real  state,  and  direct  him  to  his  only 
jrefuge  ? 

But  that  Gospel  which  is  "  the  power  of  God"  had  yet  to  com- 
plete its  office  in  the  hearts  of  the  Christian  friends  whose  history 
%ve  trace.  While  the  Scriptures  of  Truth  discover  the  carnal 
heart  to  be  enmity  against  God,  deceitful  above  all  things  and  des- 
perately wicked,  tne  benevolent  Saviour  has  also  declared  that  he 
came  "  to  proclaim  liberty  to  the  captives ;"  "  to  bind  up  the 
broken  hearted  ;"  "  to  seek  and  to  save  the  lost."  What  intelli- 
gence more  joyous  and  suitable  to  those  who,  now,  *ith  broken- 
ness  of  spirit,  mourned  over  their  depraved  and  captive  state! 
With  wonder  they  beheld  the  condescension  of  God  ;  with  joy  they 
reflected,  that  this  was  the  message  not  of  feeble  and  erring  man, 
but  of  Jehovah,  "  who  cannot  lie."  They  heard! — They  believ- 
ed ! — and  thus,  through  faith,  did  the  Gospel  become  to  them  "  the 
power  of  God."  Now  was  sin  for  the  first  time  perceived  in  some- 
what of  its  real  deformity,  in  some  degree  of  its  native  malignity. 
On  account  of  sin  Jesiis  was  crucified — on  account  of  that  ac- 
cursed tiling,  he  died,  that  they  might  live.  Thus,  with  the  eye 
of  faith,  perceiving  the  Son  of  God  in  his  gospel  character,  they 


(1 


10 


*^\ 


.t,  . 


'tis 


realized  in  him  that  wonderful  personage,  of  whom  the  brazen      .^ 
serpent  in  the  wilderness  was  a  feeble,  indeed,  but  apt  illustration ;  Jl^^^-t 
and,  as  the  Israelites,  bitten  by  the  fiery  serpents,  looked  on  that*  'yij^ 
mysterious  image  and  were  healed,  by  the  simple  operation  of  faith  v  \,^ 
in  the  promise  of  God  ;  so  did  these  sinners,  made  sensible  of  the    *  ^fj". 
hatefulness  and  burthen  of  their  sins,  by  faith  in  the  Word  of 
Truth,  look  to  the  crucified  Saviour,  and  find  him  to  be  their  only 
rest.     And  henceforward,  knowing  that  they  are  not  their  own, 
but  are  "  bought  with  a  price,"  no  less  a  price  than  the  precious 
blood  of  Christ,  they  desire  no  longer  to  live  to  themselves,  but  to 
him  that  died  for  them,  and  rose  again,  and  "  ever  liveth"  to  in- 
tercede for  his  believing  and  obedient  people.     Henceforward,  has 
the  world  lost  much  of  its  captivating  charms ;  that  has  ceased  to 
be  a  grievous  command  which  directs  them,  "  Love  not  the  world,  -^l-, 
nor  the  things  of  the  world  ;"(!)    and  it  no  longer  alarms  them  to'*j[M', 
know  that  "  the  lust  of  the  flesh,  the  lust  of  the  eyes,  and  the  pride  ;'"^%  ,< 
of  life,  are  not  of  the  Father,  but  of  the  world," (2)  and  that  he-;v.-^ 
who  loves  the  world  loves  not  God;(3)     for  now  they  grieve  at  ^,   ji^ 
nothing  more  than  the  prevalence  of  worldly  desires  in  their  souls;    'j>\, 
they  desire  nothing  more  earnestly  than  that  the  love  of  God  may 
reign  in  their-   without  a  rival.     And  henceforward,  in  proportion 
as  faith  dwells  on  that  mysterious  sight  which  first  wrought  this 
mighty  change,  in  equal  proportion  sin  is  subdued,  and  holy  dis- 
positions are  created.     Some  of  the  individuals  alluded  to  might, 
perhaps,  be  ready  to  shrink  from  this  description,  as  representing 
a  measure  far  beyond  their  poor  attainments  in  the  divine  life  :  but, 
however  tremblingly  faith  may  take  hold  on  the  promises  of  God, 
still,  true  faith,  while  it  may  differ  much  in  the  degree  in  which  it 
is  exercised,  is  in  all  real  believers  essentially  the  same.     We  believe 
the  above  description  to  contain,  in  substance,  the  experience  of  the 
children  of  God  in  every  age  and  every  clime.     Thus  are  they  carri- 
ed on  "  from  faith  to  faith"  by  the  powerful  operation  of  his  Spirit; 
and  beholding  the  Image  of  God  in  the  person  of  Jesus  Christ,  they 
pursue  the  heavenly  road  from  "glory  to  glory;"  and  though  they 
sustain  many  a  conflict  with  the  remaining  corruption  of  their  own 
nature,  the  deceitfulness  of  the  world,  and  the  devices  of  Satan  ; 
and,  struggling  in  this  conflict,  often,  with  the  Apostle,  are  com- 
pelled to  "groan,  being  burthened,"  yet  do  they  find  that  "greater 


i  ■ 


.     it  ' 


,  -i 


(1)  1  John  ii.  15. 


(2)  1  John  ii.  15. 


(3)  1  John  ii.  15. 


^^- 


^>»il» 


brazen 


jtration ;  ^^^j 
on  that « 


•f^ 


1^ 


f  . 


I  of  faith 

e  of  the 

Vord  of 

leir  only 

eir  own, 

precious 

),  but  to 

i"  to  in- 

ard,  has 

eased  to 

5  world,  '■''t£ 

them  to  ■  ;  "^'.^ 

le  pride  ''v,4»  * 

that  he  •vi' 

rieveatv  ^^ 

r  souls;    ; •  »1 

od  may 

)portion 

ght  this 

loly  dis- 

)  might, 

senting 

e :  but, 

)f  God, 

/hich  it 

believe 

e of the 

y  carri- 

Spirit; 

St,  they 

;h  they 

jir  own 

Satan ; 

e  com^ 

greater 

15. 


♦f 


'It' 


?! 


11 


is  he  that  is  for  them  than  he  that  is  against  them" — yet,  from  time 
"to  time,  through  faith  in  that  mighty  Conqueror,  do  they  experience 
a  glorious  deliverance ;  and  at  last,  made  "  more  than  conquerors" 
through  "  Him  that  loved  them,"  they  fall  asleep  in  peaceful  de- 
pendence on  that  beloved  and  Divine  Character,  to  resemble  whom 
in  a  perfect  and  sinless  image,  had  been,  in  this  world,  the  unfail- 
ing desire  of  their  souls. 

Of  the  individuals  whose  religious  experience  we  have  attempted 
"briefly  to  recount,  those  who  were  first  awakened  to  the  reality  and 
importance  of  these  truths  enjoyed,  for  a  time,  the  opportunity  of 
hearing  the  gospel  proclaimed  in  the  Church  of  England ;  and, 
when  at  length  circumstances  which  they  could  not  control,  de- 
prived them  of  a  blessing  so  essential  to  the  welfare  of  their  souls, 
they  could  not  withstand  the  necessity  of  seeking  it  elsewhere. 
They  could  not  give  their  sanction,  however  insignificant,  to  doc- 
trines which  they  ronscientiously  believed  to  be  suljversive  of  the 
Gospel  of  Jesus  Christ — nor  "  bid  God  speed"  to  those  who, 
however  estimable  in  other  respects,  in  their  view,  continued  in 
that  carnal  state  which  is  enmity  against  God,  and  naturally  oppos- 
ed to  the  only  way  whereby  sinners  can  be  saved.  In  this  state  of 
mind  they  were  led  to  seek  that  food  which  the  simple  truth  of  God'a 
Word  is  alone  able  to  bestow,  in  the  small  Baptist  Church  which 
had  been  for  a  number  of  years  cstablislicd  in  Halifax. 

The  human  mind  in  a  state  of  quiet  can  form  but  a  very  inadequate 
conception  of  what  will  be  its  feelings  when  assailed  by  unknown 
temptation.  Our  readers  may,  therefore,  not  be  prepared  to  learn 
that  any  degree  of  mental  trial  accompanied  the  step  we  are  now 
relating.  It  was  not,  however,  void  of  difficulty.  A  stated  attend- 
ance on  a  Baptist  ministration  for  religious  instruction  was  a  meas- 
ure calculated  to  attract  observation  and  censure ;  and  our  friends 
were,  perhaps,  lor  the  first  time  in  any  forcible  degree,  awakened 
to  a  sense  of  the  very  small  amount  of  public  favour  which  this  de- 
nomination enjoyed,  especially  in  Halifax,  and  to  perceive  that  they 
were  regarded  as  occupying  the  lowest  rank  in  religious  estimation 
— were  in  fact  despised  as  an  ignorant  and  deluded  sect.  The  in- 
controvertible evidence,  however,  which  had  been  afforded  to  our 
religious  friends,  of  the  piety,  good  sense,  and  sound  scriptural  in- 
formation, of  several  teachers  of  this  persuasion,  counterbalunced 
the  prejudice  which  they  had  imbibed,  in  conmion  with  the  public, 
and  they  soon  came  to  be  struck  with  the  unaffected  scriptural  situ- 


n 


•«  ♦ 


plicity  which  pervaded  the  whole  system  of  worship  adopted  by 
this  denomination,  and  which  forcibly  brought  to  view,  as  it  werd^ 
the  humble  companies  of  Jewish  shepherds,  or  Galileean  fishermen, 
who,  in  accordance  with  the  Sctipture  narrative,  may  be  supposed 
to  have  poured  forth  their  artless  but  heartlelt  devotion  in  the  days 
immediately  succeeding  the  time  when  the  King  of  Heaven  stood 
in  human  form  upon  the  earth.  Every  sentiment  of  degradation,  if 
such  had  at  any  time  been  perceived,  in  associating  with  theso 
humble  and  despised  followers  of  the  Lamb,  was  soon  obliterated, 
and  was  succeeded  by  a  sweet  tranquillity  that  seemed  naturally  to 
belong  to  a  situation  so  remote  from  the  glare  and  pomp  of  the 
world.  -    >« 

Here  they  had  opportunities  of  hearing  several  of  the  teachers  of 
this  denomination,  from  whose  lips  they  received  a  plain  but  forci* 
ble  declaration  of  the  truth,  as  it  is  in  Jesus ;  and,  it  is  but  due  to 
the  modesty  and  liberality  of  these  good  men,  to  take  this  opportu- 
nity of  entirely  exonerating  them  from  any  cljarge  of  proselytism  so 
frequently  alleged  against  religious  denominations.     Tliey  appear- 
ed too  deeply  engaged  hi  the  sublime  employment  of  preaching 
"Christ  and   him  crucified,"    to  descend  to  the  less   essential,, 
though  not  unnecessary  investigation  of  the  scripture  doctrine  of 
baptism.     The  acquaintance  thus  formed  had,  however,  a  natural 
effect,  without  controversy  on  the  subject,  to  lead  the  minds  of  our 
religious  friends  to  an  inquiry  into  the  distinguishing  peculiarity  of 
the  Baptist  denomination.     They  knew,  however,  the  necessity  of 
resorting  to  the  Scriptures  as  the  only  unerring  guide.     Human 
authority  was  of  ever  varying  complexion — an  inextricable  maze  of 
almost  immeasurable  extent ;   exhibiting  a  range  that  spread  from 
the  extravagancies  of  the  wildest  enthusiasm,  on  the  one  side — 
through  all  the  absurdities  of  the  grossest  superstition — all  the  per- 
plexities of  scholastic  ingenuity — until  it  reached  the  very  verge  of 
atheistical  indifference  >  n  the  other.     On  the  Bible,  they  knew, 
the  reformers  had  taken  their  strong  and  only  impregnable  position ; 
and  here  these  inquirers  were  convinced,  and  here  only,  was  satis-t 
factory  evidence  to  be  gathered,  on  any  point  of  faith  or  practice. 
These  persons  were  sincere  members  of  the  Church  of  England. 
The  earliest  recollections  of  their  infant  years,  the  respectable  an- 
tiquity of  that  church,  the  history  of  the  Ijrilliant  piety  which  has 
so  often  adorned  her  members,  and  the  nature  of  their  whole  re'!- 
gious  connectioQS— all  had  combined  to  attach  them  to  her  impos- 


1*. 


%f  th 

Iri-     BO 

.l;'r  by 
'^'^'    A 

re' 


*•  -A.  " 


♦• 


fc3*^^ 


•5*-:» 


,.^' 


y€ 


4i?^M^''''^'- 


•i 


*  'r.  \*        ^. .  . 

ing  form  of  worship  yfith  an  affection  of  no' ordinary  strength.  A 
liberal  mind  will  readily  believe  that  sentiments  thus  generated, 
interwoven  with  the  strongest  ties  of  a<)cial  love,  and  possessing  so 
much  to  heighten  and  confirm  them,  are  not  to  be  abandoned 
without  many  a  painful  struggle ;  and  the  individuals  now  alluded 
to,  experienced  this  mental  conflict  in  all  its  force.  In  the  course 
of  their  investigation,  suspicions  of  the  unsouudness  of  the  system 
to  which  they  were  so  warmly  attached,  flushed,  from  time  to 
time,  upon  their  minds,  and  it  was  with  no  common  anxiety  that 
they  prospectively,  as.  it  were,  beheld  the  destruction  of  the  many 
soothing  prejudices  on  this  subject,  which  were  nurtured  in  tliem 
by  early  education,  and  confirmed  by  the  iiabits  of  riper  years. 
At  times  indeed,  the  influence  of  those  prejudices  w^mld  resume  ^■ 
its  force  and  quiet  their  apprehensions.  But  tiiis  state  of  mind 
could  not  continue.  When  once  a  serious  dou^'t  has  assailed  re- 
ceived opinions,  and  an  inquiry  into  reii<rious  truth  has  begun  to 
be  awakened,  it  is  not  easy,  in  such  a  case,  to  satisfy  a  sincere 
conscience  without  a  full  investigation. 

A  consideration,  however,  ivhich  first  engaged  their  attention,  was 
one  with  respect  to  which  the  sentiments  of  the  Baptist  ilennmiiiation 
are  not  peculiar,  being  the  same  mainly  us  are  held  in  common 
with  them  by  a  very  numerous  and  respectable  body  of  Protes- 
tants. This  was  the  question  of  Church  Discipline  and  Govern^ 
ment. 

These  persons  found  that  they  had  never,  until  now,  sought  to 
entertain  a  specific  understandrng  of  the  nature  of  a  Christian 
Church.  The  Scriptures,  when  examined  on  this  subject,  repre- 
sent the  Church  as  a  society  cf  real  and  practical  believers  associa- 
ted for  the  worship  and  service  of  God  in  the  use  of  his  appointed  or- 
dinances, and  carefully  excluding  from  their  communion  those  whose 
conduct  should  dishonor,  or  whose  doctrines  might  endanger  their 
faith.  In  the  sacred  page  they  fouijd  themselves  commanded  to 
**  withdraw  from  every  brother  that  vvalketh  disorderly  ;"(1)  to  turn 
away  from  such  as  have  "  a  form  of  godliness,  but  deny  the  power 
thereof,"  (2)  and  not  to  "  bid  God  speed"  to  tliose  who  "  bring  not 
this  doctrine"  of  Christ ;  (3)  while  at  the  same  time  it  was  distinctly 
apparent  that  these  precepts  pointed  at  the  discipline  of  the  church, 
s^ud  not  ordinary  intercourse  with  the  world. (4)    They  felt  that 


(l)2Thcs3.  iii.  ft       (2)  2  Tim.  iii.  5.       (3)  2  John  x,       (4)  1  Cor.  v.  10. 


*t' 


\ 


t 


•f.v. 


■^  ?  T^"!if  » 


tf     *         T  ^ 


*■'/ 


with  these  plain  scriptural  directions  they  could  not  remain  in  church 
communion  with  such  as  virtually  \lenied  the  gospel,  nor  by  their 
countenance  continue  to  sanction  the  errot-  and, swell  the  influence       ^  ' 
of  those  who,  while  they  deny  the  necessity  of  irfegjeneration  by  the 
operation  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  the  important  doctrine  of  justifi- 
cation by  faith  alone,  subvert  the  foundation  of  a  sinner's  hope,  and 
destroy  the  only  pure  fountain  of  acceptable  obedience.     Immoral 
conduct  in  nominal  christians  may  ruin  their  own  souls,  and  spread 
the  baneful  savour  of  evil  example  j  but  perverted  and  corrupt  doc- 
trine saps  the  vitals  of  true  religion,  and  as  it  were  intercepts  and.j 
cuts  off,  as  far  as  mortal  arm  can  do  it,  the  oply  way  of  communi-| 
cation  between  a  lost  world  and  an  Almighty  Saviour. 
,     The  sentimnnt  now  entertained  by  our  friends  on  the  subject  of  ,^'^^^ 
*  Church  Discipline  may  be  well  illustrated;  by  the  following  passage  .^^.^i 
from  the  celebrated   Hooker : — "  There   are   wicked   whom   the^ 
Church  may  judge,  and  there  are  wicked* whom  God  judgeth; 
wicked  within  and  wicked  without  the  walls  of  the  Cb  rch.     If 
within  the  Church,  particular  persons  be  apparently  such  as  cannot' »  >' 
otherwise  be  reformed,  the  rule  of  the  apostolical  judgment  is  this/  *  f. 
separate  them  from  among  you ;  if  whole  assemblies,  thus,  separate 
yourselves  from  among  them ;  for  what  society  hath  light  with  dark- 
ness."(l)     To  those  who  deny  the  spiritual  and  tranforming  life  of 
that  religTon  which  we  desire  to  honor  by  these  humble  pages,  the 
justification  here  offered  for  separation  from  the  Church  of  England, 
may  seem  insufficient;  but  from  those  whose  hearts  rejoice  in  its 
power,  we  do  claim,  with  some  confidence,  christian  forbearance,        , 
if  not  entire  acquiescence.     To  their  candor  we  appeal,  when  we 
assert  the  utter  destitution  of  all  Church  Discipline  in  the  Estab- 
lishment, as  a  body ;  when  we  assert,  that  if  it  were  possible  to  ex- 
ert discipline  when  the  great  majority  of  its  members  are  wholly 
opposed  to  its  exercise,  and  to  the  principles  that  require  it,  it 
must  necessarily  result  in  the  exclusion  of  that  majority,  or,  as  Hook- 
er contemplates,  in  the  separation  of  the  few.  .  ^f. 

The  mind,  long  habituated  to  idolize,  in  religion  as  in  all  other 
things,  those  usages  and  opinions  which  the  lapse  of  ages  has 
clothed  with  a  sort  of  sanctity,  may  shrink  with  an  involuntary 
terror  from  this  thought :  and  the  alarmed  imagination  may  paint 
to  itself  a  fearful  vision  of  the  threatened  ruin.     And  yet  the 


■^ 


(1)  Sermou  on  Justification. 


mm'' 

i.>*'i 

1 

1 

.4          •! 

« 

M    '     s 

isi:. 


IX* 


principle  was  rei 


ffV, 


^v 


*  I 


iiit|ea  Wheh'the  necessity  of  carry  nig  it  in-  ' 
to  effect  was  deemed  &t  a  distance;  and  in  fact  the  exercise  of  the 
principle  has,  in  a  limite^  measure,  been  repeatedly  exemplified. 
It  is  not  in  Halifa^'fiivt  that  the  necessity  of  separation  from  the 
world,  of  discipline  ir  the  Church,  of  setting  Zion  as  a  city  on  a 
hill,  that  her  light  Might  not  be  hid,  has  compelled  the  disciples  of 
the  cross,  with  painful  effort,  to  tear  away  from  the  prejudices  of 
education  and  hereditary  religion,  and  establish  themselves  alone 
as  a  church  of  Jesus  Christ.     Many  in  the  earlier  ages,  perhaps,  . 
whose  real  history  lies  enveloped  in  the  darkness  of  antiquity,  thus  '. 
stood  aloof  from  the  torrent  of  prevailing  error  and  irreligion,  and 
led  their  names  to  be  transmitted  lo  posterity,  through  the  distort-  . 
-ing  representations  of  their  opponents,  as  schismatics  and  heretics. 
The  vallies  of  Piedmontlor^  afibrded  a  frail  shelter  to  such  separa-    •' 
tists  from  Romish  ^rrors.     And  if  their  history,  too,  is  clouded  by  |he     ~ 
\  obscurity  of  time,  at  least  the  sixteenth  century  saw  the  seeds  of 
:  Reformation  which  had  long  been  preparing  through  the  labors  of 
a  Wickliife,  a  Jerome,  or  a  HUss,  burst  forth  with  a  splendor  and  a 
power  which  we  trust  no  lapse  of  ages  shall  ever  utterly  obscure. ' , 
But  as,  in  the  days  of  the  Apostles  themselves,  error  and  confusion 
stalked  boldly  among  the  churches  of  Christ,  so,  in  the  very  morn- 
ing of  the  Reformation,  the  enemy  of  souls  possessed  the  power 
of  destroying  many  a  promising  flower  in  the  bud.     With  what 
*pain  did  Luther,  Calvin,  and  other  worthies,  struggle  to  the  attain- 
ment of  the  light  they  gained !     Is  it  unreasonable,  then,  to  suppose 
that  there  yet  remained  things  to  be  understood,  which,  with  the 
mighty  aid  of  what  their  labors  had  effected,  succeeding  Christians, 
although  vastly  inferior  to  those  great  originals,  might  yet  attain  ? 
Doubtless  such  has  been  the  case ;  and  that  is  a  bigotted  view  of 
the  subject  which  would  regard  any  doctrine  or  practice  inviola- 
ble, merely  because  thus  the  Reformers  held.     But  the  tyranny 
which  hereditary  religion  often  will  exercise  over  the  mind  is,  per- 
haps, fully  known  only  by  those  who  have  escaped  from  its  bond- 
age :  and  this  may  account  for  the  fact,  that  really  good  men,  emi- 
nent for  evangelical  religion,  have  been,  in  many  particulars,  hem-- 
med  in  and  restricted  in  the  exercise  of  gospel  liberty.     Such  men 
have  been  seen  in  the  national  church  who  trembled  at  the  prospect 
of  the  free  enjoyment  of  Christian  privileges,  because  they  observ- 
ed that  there  was  danger  of  their  abuse,  and  they  wielded  no  arm 
of  discipline  strong  enough  to  check  it.    Other  churches,  whose 


>•  ,, 


■I  I  ■«»>< 


^. 


*»*■-  '-*>>  Pj 


>,>**:-■ 


•"    >. 


'•^ 


'-4  *• 

16 


.4 


^ 


■•.^i^s:: 


^^i^^ 


.?.• 


inteTnal  discipline  in  other  respects  thoy  would  gladly  have  imitat* 
ed,  had  long  been  free  to  obey  the  A})OHtoUc  precept  that  "\en 
shAuld  be  ready  always  to  pray,  "  every  whore  litbngup  holy    .  i  Is 
without  wrath  or  doubting ;"  and  in  the  exercise  of  their  privilege         * 
had  often  enjoyed  a  rich  blessing  in  the  incrpaae  of  humility,  of    ".-^ 
spirituality,  and  of  numbers ;  and  yet  these  good  men,  seeing  not         ^ 
how  to  guard  against  the  admisaion  of  extravagance  and  misguided   *'   ■,'. 
enthusiasm,  have  almost  resolved  to  abandon  the  privilege. 

In  like  manner,  while  the  prayers  of  all  true  Christians  fervently      ^l 
seek  the  powerful  presence  of  God,  in  the  increase  of  the  kingdon> 
of  Jesus  Christ ;  there  have  been  among  them  those,  who  were  un*  .^''jr 
prepared  to  receive  the  answer  to  their  petitions;;    and  who,  when 
an  abundant  measure  of  grace  has  been  poured  out  into  the  hcartf 
of  the  people,  have  felt  an  unreasohabl^  alarm  at  the  exhibition  of 
that  work  taking  place  in  many  souls  at  once,  which  they  would 
rejoice  to  see  in  individuals ;   and  this,  alro,  because  their  minds 
had  been  fettered  by  the  prejudices  of  early  education ;    and  per*  .  .^  ,. 
haps,  because  they  have  felt  their  churches  to  be  destitute  of  that  l^f"*^ 
power  of  gospel  order,  which  would  guard  against  a  perversion  of 
the  grace  of  God. 


•*;'*■ 


^■>i 


'K'-" 


But  we  return  to  the  progress  of  religious  illumination  as  expert-^ 
enced  by  the  subjects  of  this  history.  The  question  which  next  press- . 
ed  itself  upon  their  attention  was  that  of  Baptism.  Nursed,  as  they 
had  been,  in  unsuspecting  confidence,  that  in  so  important  a  point 
as  this,  tlioir  mother  Church  could  not  be  guilty  of  a  mistake,  it 
was  with  no  inconsiderable  surprise  that  they  searched  the  Scrip- 
tures in  vain  for  authority  for  the  practice  of  sprinkling  infants ; 
that  in  the  accounts  given  of  the  administration  of  the  ordinance, 
they  found  them  uniformly  connecting  with  the  reception  of  Bap- 
tism, faith,  or  some  other  exercise  of  the  mind  of  a  conscious 
moral  agent  that  necessarily  implies  believing. 

As  an  act  of  personal  obedience  to  a  divine  command,  and  such 
the  Scriptures  represent  Baptism  to  be,  they  could  not  but  feel  that 
it  seemed  fairly  to  claim  a  capability  for  obedience  in  the  recipient 
of  the  ordinance.  When  they  contemplated  its  objects  and  uses, 
there  seemed  a  singular  propriety  in  a  believer,  by  this  public  act 
making  "  a  good  profession  before  many  witnesses."  And  in  the 
manner  of  it  by  immersion,  there  appeared  to  shine  forth  a  beauti- 
ful signiiicancy,  emblematical  of  "  the  death  unto  sin,"  and  "  new 


i 


% 


c 

u 
s 

tl 
f 

4 

I 
f 

I 

I 

t 
1 
1 


-!«i»*-"»!*"^- 


-;;* 


.  ■       • 


lavG  imitat*  *  %' 
that  "nen     '  '"*' 
holy      t  Is 


■'I 


ir  priviioge 


■.:k 


umility,  of  j^a" 
seeing  not 
misguided  '^ 
jc. 

18  fervently 
e  kingdom 
lo  were  un- 
ivho,  when 
the  heart* 
ihibition  of 
:hcy  would 
leir  minds 
;  and  per- 
lite  of  that 
■version  of 


aa  experi-^ 
next  press- . 
pd,  as  they 
nt  a  point 
listake,  it 
the  Scrip- 
infants  ; 
rdinance, 
of  Bap- 
conscious 

and  such 
feel  that 
recipient 
and  uses, 
tublic  act 
iid  in  the 
a  beauti- 
"  new 


17 

1)irth  unto  righteousness"  experienced  by  all  true  believers  in 
Christ.  (I) 

The  covenant  of  circumcision  seemed  to  be  the  strong  hold  to 
whicii  some  of  the  a<lvocatns  of  Pcdobaptism,  when  driven  from 
all  direct  evidence,  eii<lcavor  to  make  good  their  retreat,  although 
many  amonfj  tliemsilvcs  rejected  tliia  method  ;  and  indeed  the 
great  di8cro|)ancy  amonj,'  the  supporters  of  that  system,  in  their 
way  of  maintaining  it,  seemed  no  small  indication  of  its  weakness. 
In  vain,  however,  was  any  just  argument  attempted  to  be  drawn 
from  tills  source.  It  involved  monstrous  consequences.  An  anal- 
ogy eniloavorod  to  be  made  between  the  two  rites  of  Circumcision 
and  Baptism  imi$t  fail  in  ;dtnost  every  particular  As  well  might 
any  other  ceremony  of  the  Musaic  Ritual  be  adopted  into  the  prac- 
tice of  a  Christian  church.  The  worshippers  of  God  are  spiritual 
worshippers ;  and  such  only  are  suitable  members  of  his  church, 
as  is  well  stated  in  the  nineteenth  Article  of  the  Church  of  Eng- 
land :  but  infant  Baptism,  founded  on  the  covenant  of  circumcis- 
ion, strikes  at  the  very  root  of  the  spirituality  of  Christ's  kingdom, 
and  ingrafts  at  once  a  nation  into  tlie  church,  without  the  smallest 
regard  to  religious  ({ualifications. 

On  referring  to  the  testimony  respecting  early  practice,  histori- 
cal records  were  found  to  contain  no  mention  of  intant  Baptism  for 
a  considerable  period  after  the  Apostles ;  which  silence  gave  no 
small  evidence  that  the  practice  had  not  then  crept  in ;  while  at 
the  same  time  the  first  notice  of  it  was  scanty,  vague,  and  imper- 
fect, and,  on  the  whole,  more  favorable  to  believers'  Baptism  than 
to  that  of  infants ;  and  it  was  easy  to  perceive  that  in  two  centuries, 
upwards  of  which  period  had  elapsed  before  the  latter  practice  is 
found  in  general  use,  there  was  abundant  time  for  the  corruption  of 
primitive  usage  in  this  particular,  and  accordingly  the  Christian 
world  is  found  at  that  time  to  teem  with  errors  both  of  doctrine  and 
practice. 

It  may  be  well,  however,  here  to  notice  that  the  most  ample  tes- 
timony is  dorived  from  the  writings  of  the  Fathers,  that  im- 
mersion was  tho  primitive  mode  of  Baptism.  This,  together  with 
the  primary  meaning  of  the  Greek  word  rendered  "Baptize," 
which  is  undoubtedly  to  "  immerse  ;"  and  the  direct  testimony  of 


(1)  1  Pet.  ii.  24.    Rom.  vi.  2,  8, 11. 

c 


r 


18 

a  great  majority  of  the  most  learned  Podobaptists,  (1)  both  as  to  th*) 
iiiciiiiiiig  lit' the  word,  uiul  us  to  Ihr  itrimitivo  priictice,  leiivon  it  a 
iiiiiltci  of  HOiiic  surprisf  that,  in  tho  prcscril  chiy  of  lij,Mit  and 
kiiowit'dj^e,  candor  tiiiouid  not  Hilcncc  uiiy  fiirtiier  disputo  us  to 
tiiosc  particulars.  In  the  altsenco,  thru,  of  nil  adeqniilo  evidence 
or  argument  in  favor  of  the  practice,  the  fxampln  of  Christ  him- 
self, as  well  as  that  presented  by  i-very  instance  of  Raptism  record- 
ed in  the  New  Testament,  togetlu'r  with  the  various  passages  which 
represent  faith  as  a  prerecjuisito  to  its  reception,  remained  the  oidy 
source,  at  last,  as  it  was  indeed  the  oidy  genuine  source  in  the  first 
instance,  to  which  these  iiKpiirers  could  resort  for  instruction  as  to 
the  nature  of  Christian  Baptism. 

After  long  and  serious  examination,  luiited  with  earnest  prayer, 
and,  it  must  be  confessed,  not  without  much  pain  at  the  pro.spectof 
being  compelled  to  differ  from  many  beloved  and  highly  esteemed 
followers  of  Jesus,  and  to  wound  the  feelings  ol  many  of  their  re- 
lations and  friends,  this  iiKiuiry  resulted  in  a  belief  that  the  im- 
mersion of  those  who  profess  faith  in  Jesus  Christ,  according  to  the 
pattern  e.xhibited  in  the  instance  of  Philip  and  the  Kunuch,(y)  ia 
the  oidy  Baptism  enjoined  by  Jesus  Christ  or  practised  by  his 
Apostles. 

fn  the  quiet  retirement  which  our  friends  now  enjoyed  in  their 
religious  worship,  and  with  the  unatfected  simplicity  of  that  minis- 
tration of  the  gospel  of  which  they  were  partakers,  they  had  prob- 
ably remained  contented  to  this  day,  had  they  limited  their  views 
solely  to  their  own  spiritual  edification.  But  it  is  a  characteristic  of 
the  religion  of  Jesus  Christ,  that  it  awakens  in  the  soul  a  principle 
of  benevolent  concern  for  the  everlasting  welfare  of  our  fellow-men. 
Of  this,  surely,  no  douijt  can  be  entertained  when  the  character  of 
the  Saviour  is  contemplated,  lie  went  al)out  doing  good,  and 
preaching  "  the  gospel  of  the  grace  of  God.'  lie  mourned  over 
the  impenitence  of  sinners,  and  thus  exeiiiplilied  in  himself  the 
spirit  of  that  solemn  asseveration  and  pathetic  remonstrance  of  the 
Holy  Spirii,  by  the  mouth  of  the  Proj)hut,  "  As  I  live,  saith  the 
Lord,  1  have  no  pleasure  in  the  death  of  the  wicked  ;  turn  ye,  turn 
ye;  why  will  ye  die,  O  house  of  Israel  ?"(:{)     If,  then,  the  same 

(1/  Such  as  Luther,  Bcza,  Calvin,  !Sivliiuisiu<!,  Ca.*aubon,  Venema,  Dr.  Wall, 
in  his  History  of  Infant  Bapti'^iii,  Dr.  Ilaniniond,  Bishoi)  Taylor,  Dr.  Doildridije, 
Dr.  Canipbi'll,  and  many  others. 

(2)  A.cts  viii.  26—40.        (3)  Ezck.  xxxiii.  11. 


'^ 


,  ,^)|y.' JMfr.i»<75i,H>- -A^lltS -^ 


,...  ;i* 


* 


in 


otii  an  to  th4 
c,  IciivoH  it  a 
>t'  li^Mit  und 
lispiitu  a.s  tu 
iilo  I'vidciico 
'  Christ  liiin- 
)tisiii  rccord- 
Hsujics  wliicli 
led  tlie  only 
'A!  ill  tiiu  firnt 
ruction  as  to 

•nest  prayer, 
u  prospect  of 
ly  esteemed 
of  their  re- 
Ihat  the  im- 
irding  to  the 
inuch,(y)  IB 
iscd  by  his 

fed  in  their 

that  niinis- 

y  had  prob- 

thcir  views 

icteristic  of 

a  principle 

llow-ineii. 

laractcr  of 

good,  and 

rnod  oi'er 

inseif  the 

lice  of  the 

saith  the 

rn  yo,  turn 

tlic  same 

1,  Dr.  Wall, 
Doddridije, 


• 


niind  wn«  in  any  measure  pojisesscd  by  tiieso  individuals,  *'  whicli 
was  alsu  in  Christ  .lesus,"  could  they  altogetlicr  fail  in  lin-ir  rc- 
soinbancc  to  their  divinr-  Master  in  this  particular?  Could  they 
hiiNc  bmi  inad»;  partakers  of  his  ffracc,  and  not  ardently  desirt! 
that  others  Mhould  participate  with  them  in  that  inesliuiai)l(!  treas- 
ure ?  Could  they  hav«!  "  freely  received"  without  beiny  solicitouM 
also  freely  to  bestow?  Could  they,  in  short,  see  many  of  their  re- 
lations, (heir  frit.nds,  their  countrymen,  "  [u'rishin;,'  for  laclc  of 
knowledoc,"  and  not  hold  thcMiscivcs  in  readiness  to  seize  every 
providential  means  of  i^'ivinij  them  acce'ss  to  those  truths,  wliicii, 
in  their  own  case,  they  liad  found  "able  to  save  their  souls?" 

This  lanpuni^c  may,  perhajts,  to  some  appear  to  contain  too  bold 
a  censure  of  all  whose  sentiments  in  reli'^ion  dillir  from  those  hero 
attempted  to  lie  described  ;  mid,  if  tli(!  dillerence  merely  rested  on 
some  of  those  minor  points  which  distin<^uish  the  various  dcjiiomi- 
nalions  into  which  ("luistians  are  separated,  such  lanjjuase  were 
utterly  inexcusable  :  but  the  ground  on  whicli  we  desire  to  stand 
IS  tlitit  of  real,  heartfelt  religion.  Here  true  charity  demands  tho 
plainest  speech  ;  and  if,  therefore,  in  any  part  oi'this  short  nicinoir 
we  tiiid  ourselves  constrained  to  use  langnago  consistent  with  our 
own  sentiments,  and  tliose  of  tho  individuals  of  whom  we  write; 
we  now,  once  for  all,  beg  to  assiiro  our  frieinls  and  brethren  of  ev- 
ery denomination,  and  of  whatever  religious  sentiments,  that  we 
intend  no  disrespect,  and  arc  inlluenced  by  no  unkindly  feelings, 
but  are  compelled  by  our  view  of  the  nature  of  true  religion,  to  cm- 
ploy  that  i'orm  of  expression  which  acconls  with  our  belief  Wo 
are  heartily  willing  to  be  tried  by  the  word  of  God  ;  and  sincerely 
should  we  rejoice  in  having  received  a  correct  understanding  of  the 
Sacred  Volume,  should  it  prove  the  means  of  leading  any  to  search 
the  Scriptures,  to  see  if  these  things  are  so. 

But  to  continue  our  narrative.  An  afl'ectiunate  solicitude  for 
their  friends  and  neighliors  had  often  filled  the  souls  of  these  Chris- 
tians, and  it  is  believed  frefiueiilly  carried  tliein  to  the  footstool  of 
that  throne,  where  the  voice  of  su[>plication  is  not  poured  forth  in 
vain.  The  small  Baptist  meeting  which  they  then  frequented, 
alforded  no  accommodation  equal  to  that  proportion  of  the  popula- 
tion of  this  town  that  appeared  willing  to  listen  to  the  word  of 
God ;  still  less  to  the  number  of  those  to  whom  our  friends  wished 
tliat  word  might  find  access.  Their  ardent  desire  was  that  the 
.same  message  of  incrcy,  wliicii,  they  trusted,  had  been  applied  with 


30 

jtnmo  [tower  to  thnir  own  noiiN,  ini^lit  not  bo  limited  (n  tliomnclvfli*, 
FiUrly  ill  tlin  H|)riii;{  of  IH'J'!,  thcrtiloro,  tho  roiniiuMlioii.i  liuiMiiig 
now  occupied  liy  tlin  Chiircli  in  (jranvilli'-Mriirt  wiih  piirchuHod. 
Till'  (>n;.jroht*in(;  olijcci  in  tlirir  view  iit  that  tiuH",  was  simply  lo  rn- 
tahlish  in  it  tlm  Hlatod  prcacliin;;  of  "the  word  of  life."  TIh-  dn- 
noiniiuition  to  which  the  preachtr  mitfht  belong  appiMircd  unini|K)r- 
tant,  provided  he  had  indeed  experienced  in  his  uwn  Hoiil  the  cfH- 
cacy  of  the  trnth  he  Hlumid  teach. 

Ill  I  lie  course!  of  the  Huinnier,  lif>»ovcr,  r'pveral  of  tho  individu« 
niH  whose  progress  we  are  tracinp,  jrrivod  at  so  salisl'actory  a  con- 
viction of  the  necp-isity  of  Haptisni  by  innuerHion,  on  n  profeMsion 
of  faith  in  Jenns  Christ,  as  ii  dniy  rttsting  on  tho  coniinand  of  our 
h'nioiir,  that  thoy  beratnn  earnestly  solicitotis  that  the  Chapel 
(ihould  he  completed,  and  that  its  ()|)enin)r  rni^ht  be  uccon<pai>iud 
with  their  admission  into  it,  as  a  chnrcli  of  baptized  bcli'  '  "rw  ia 
Christ,  and  thus  ud vantage  be  takfin  of  this  opportuiiiiy  '<■  ••  let 
their  liL'l.t  shine  before  men,"  to  the  glory  of  (lod  t'l'   Fatbor. 

Ibit  liie  same  concern  for  the  spiritual  wclfarn  'n  t' '  i.  feljow- 
Hinn(>rd  which  had  inlhunced  these  frietida  ii  tie  purchase  of  the 
Chapel,  soon  brought  tit  their  notice  another  senuus  consideration. 
This  was  the  general  character,  in  po'nt  of  inlbrmation  i.iid  nnder- 
etanding,  of  the  congregation  which  it  might  be  hoped  would,  from 
time  to  time,  attend  this  place  ol  worship ;  and  the  necessity  ot" 
adapting,  as  far  as  was  consistent  with  "  the  truth  of  God,"  the 
ministration  that  should  bo  sought,  so  as  to  meet  tho  state  and 
character  of  this  congregation.  They  had  indeed  witntissed  the 
grace  of  God  manifested  in  raising  up  useful  and  acceptable  teach- 
ers, who  had  borrowed  little  aid  from  those  sources  of  erudition  on 
whii'li  the  wisdom  of  man  lavishes  so  profound  a  veneration ;  and 
luid  seen  that  in  this  manner  it  often  pleases  the  great  Head  of  the 
Cliurrh  to  testify  his  own  sovereignly.  But  they  also  recollected 
that  God  had  not  omitted  to  inculcate  the  exercise  of  wisdom  in 
its  utmost  extent.  They  were  therefore  led  to  perceive  that  their 
duty  required  them  to  mingle  the  utmost  prudence,  as  men,  with 
entire  submission  to  the  divine  will  and  guidance,  as  Christians, 
and  thus  to  attempt  the  selection  of  a  minister  for  their  Chapel 
whose  attainments,  in  every  point  of  view,  might  be  adapted  to 
the  character  and  habits  of  the  people  whom  he  would  hive  to  ad- 
dress; and  the  means  of  v'lat  is  ge-ierally  termed  a  liber  tl  educa- 
tion, within  the  compass  of  iJ.  '■'    »  '  luiisters      .  .is  country,  being 


« 


21 


»i.s  l)uil<lirig 
I  fiiircliuMfd. 
'imply  to  fiu 
."  Th..  dc. 
•«'d  imim|»or- 
soiil  llif  flli- 

ho  individu- 
ctory  a  con- 
a  proli'Hsion 
iiaiid  (»r  our 
the  Chijpel 
ccoti'i'anied 
be);     "riD  in 
liy    ■,     «'  Ifl 
''aOior. 
h'  i.-  felJow- 
husc  of  the 
Hfideriition. 
•'  lid  iindor- 
V'oidd,  from 
iccessity  of 
«od,"  the 
^  state  and 
iK.'sst'd  the 
iiblo  teach- 
idition  ou 
lion ;  and 
ead  of  the 
ccollected 
/isdoni  in 
that  their 
1011,  with 
hiistians, 
ir  Chapel 
lapted  to 
ve  to  ad- 
ediica- 
ry,  being 


i 


•  orv  liniif^d,  thoy  jiidKod  it  proper  to  Irtok  abroad  for  a  supply  ;  and, 
ron^(H|ii<'iilly,  soni^iit  a  r.drrt^tpondence  un  this  Huhjert  bolii  in  Kiig- 
lnM<l  and  the  L'nitiid  StatfH. 

|)isu|ii>oi(itin«nt,  however,  ancined  for  a  time  almut  to  be  tlieir 
port  1011.  'I'heir  correspondence  had  been  enjjerly  puritued  in  the 
quarlrrH  lo  which  it  had  been  directed,  but  it  had  been  uustirrt'TfS- 
ful.  Tii'^v  indeed  (Miiitd  friendM  riiot^t  kuidly  fiinpoHcd  (o  Inid  ihem 
cverv  nul,  hjt  bo  great  t»  the  dcinund,  «'«<pe»ially  iti  'lie  I  niti'd 
Sliitt  s,  'or  niiniiiteri  ''  exertions,  that  a  dark  rioud  !<eenied  to  hang 
over  the  proHpect  of  supply in^f  the  (JranviiU'Btreet  (Muipel. 

But  He  who  "  leads  the  bluid  b)  )  way  which  tiiey  have  not 
known,"  was  prr|iiirin^  a  happy  dawn  tu  \lhuiilnat(;  the  darkened 
hopes  of  thes(!  friends  of  Zion  ;  and  providing,  temp<warily  at  least, 
Hucb  pastoral  help  us  they  sought,  and  such  as  thry  trust  may  be- 
come a  means  of  siilvution  to  many  soids  in  Malitax. 

In  this  .stntfe  of  our  narrati\r ,  it  may  not  \m'  improper,  in  refer- 
ence eH|>ecially  to  such  (d'  our  readers  ;is  may  have  a  particular 
knowled>re  of  the  parties  interested  in  it,  to  take  a  parting  notice  of 
the  mistakes  and  disappointmonts  in  estimating  reli;;ious  cliaraeM'r 
which  have  accompan.ed  them  during  various  pitriods  of  tl  "ir 
progress.  Tenderness  to  private  feelin^f- has  forbidden  a  particu- 
lar mention  of  these.  But  without  vcnlurni.'f  to  puss  a  judgmt;iit  ou 
any  individual,  we  would  wish  to  remark  hat  such  mistakes  and 
disappointments  can  furnish  no  fair  argiiniiut  against  the  doctrineti 
here  held  as  the  truth  of  God,  but,  if  of  an  force,  may  tend  rath- 
er to  confirm  them.  At  all  periods  of  the  listory  of  the  Church, 
there  liavc  been  those  who  have,  for  a  tinn  s«!emed  to  run  well, 
but  w  hom,  at  length,  sin,  and  Satan,  and  the  world,  prevailed  "  lo 
hinder  that  tiiey  should  not  obey  the  truth."  At  all  periods  has 
some  seed  fallen  on  stony  ground  ;  and  there  conscciuently  liavp^ 
been  those,  who  "  anon  with  joy  received  tiie  wore ,"  itut  who,  "  when 
persecution  arose,  by  and  by  were  oflended."  The  Saviour  him- 
self was  ollen  surrounded  by  men,  who,  for  a  time,  appeared  zeal- 
ous followers ;  but  when  brought  up  to  tlie  pla;M  truth  of  God's 
word,  deemed  it  "a  hard  saying,"  and  thence i)rth,  walked  no 
more  with  him.  The  great  Apostle  of  the  <Jentil'  s  also  was  tried 
by  '* perils  among  fal.se  brethren;"  was  called  to  mourn  the  defec- 
tion of  a  Demas,  who,  though  onci;  high  in  the  est  'nation  even  of 
ihc  discerning  Paul,  as  a  fellow  laborer  in  the  G(  -pel,  at  length 
forsook  him,   "  having  loved  this  present  world    '    and  to  en- 


i)Cf 


dure  the  nialifTnity  of  otliors  wlio  "  proachod  Clirist  out  of  conten- 
tion, supposing  to  add  alTlictioii  to  his  lurnds." 

Tiie  mdanclioly  recurrence  of  similar  instances  at  the  present 
day,  much  as  they  are  to  be  deplored,  tend  nevertheless  to  the  con- 
firmation of  the  truth,  when  it  is  seen  to  be  accompanied  with  the 
bame  striking  and  peculiar  circumstances  that  characterized  it  in 
the  very  first  rise  of  the  Church.  And  if  the  individiuils  interest- 
ed in  this  narrative  have  in  iiny  measure  been  subjected  to  the  like 
trials,  let  not  their  jealousy  for  the  truth  pass  unnoticed,  nor  unob- 
served the  impartiiility  with  which,  at  whatever  sacrifice  of  their 
personal  feelings,  they  have  endeavored  to  clear  themselves  from 
the  charge  of  sanctioning  any  aberration  from  rectitude,  or  cover- 
ing any  hollow  or  insincere  profession. 

To  one  other  additional  remark   we  crave  indulgence  in  this 
place.     The  preceding  statements  of  religious  doctrine  and  expe- 
rience, necessarily,  in  our  judgments,  involve  that  truth  so  hostile 
to  the  unrenewed  heart,  s'o  often  abused  by  unworthy  professors  of 
Christianity,  and  yet  so  effectual  in  producing  holiness,  so  abound- 
ing in  consolation  to  the  humble  disciple  of  the  cross, — the  elect- 
ing love  or  distinguishing  grace  of  God.     And  while  in  the   dec- 
laration  of    "  all  the   counsel  of  God"   we  should   desire   to  seo 
this  doctrine,  as  well  as  all  others,  hold  only  that  relation  and  that 
degree  of  prominency  in  the  general  picture,  which  it  is  found  to 
occupy  on  a  just  examination  of  tlie   Sacred  Records,  we  at  the 
same  time,  on  the  one  hand,  see  it  to  contain  the  only  power  which 
can  cleave  asunder  the  sinner's    hold  on    sclf-depondence,   that 
quicksand  where  ruin  certainly  awaits  him;    on  the  other,  we  dis- 
cover in  it  the  glorious  foundation  on  which  alone  has  ever  been 
built  the  assured  confidence,  the  joyful  hope,  of  saints  and  martyrs. 
Here  is  that  anchor  of  the  soul  both  sure;  and  steadfast,  and  wliich 
cntereth  into  that  within  the  vai].(l )     Here  are  the  "  two  immuta- 
ble things,"  the  promise  and  oath  of  (iod,  whereby  they  "  might 
have  a  strong  consolation  who  have  lied  for  ri'fuge  to  lay  hold  upon 
the  hope  set  before  them. "(2)     Here;,  to  a  sinner  who  has  lenrnod 
his  own  natural  weakness  and  dej)ravity,  is  tiie  only  pledge  of  hope, 
that  amidst  the  trials  and  temptations  of  his  future  life — amidst  the 
snan.'s  of  the  world,  the  deceitfulness  of  sin,  the  malignant  power 
of  the  "  roaring  lion,"  he  shall  finally  be  made  "  more  than  a  coii- 


(I)  Heb.  vi,  19. 


(2)  Ileb.  vi.  IS. 


#i 


-  4l">V 


•ut  of  conton- 

tlio  present 
f^«  to  tilt'  con- 
lied  with  the 
terizcd  it  in 
•als  interest- 
■<1  to  tJio  like 
'I,  nor  iinob- 
ife  of  their 
iselves  froir 
'c,  or  cover- 

ncc  in  (his 
iiiid  cxpc- 
h  HO  lio.stiJe 
roCessors  of 
so  abouud- 
-the  elect- 
1  tlic  dec- 
ire    to    SCO 

n  and  that 
s  found  to 
Hc  at  tlie 
ver  which 
,    that 
^vo  dis- 
r  been 
lartyrs. 
I  wliich 
iimuta- 
'  niio-ht 
d  ii|)()a 
c.'rnod 
" hope, 
1st  the 
power 
a  cou- 


nce 
r 

111 


23 


queror"  over  all  these  "  through  him  that  loved  him."  lie  is  "tho 
workmanship  of  God,  created  in  (^lirist  Jesus  unto  good  works, 
irliich  (iod  Imth  before  ordidncd  I kut  he  should  walk  in  them."{l) 
(lis  conti<lence  is  in  hiin  wlio  is  "  tho  same  yesterday,  and  to-day, 
and  fortner."  And  when  enjoying  an  humble  assurance  that  he  has 
indeed  been  enabled  to  take  refuge  in  Christ,,  he  is  able  to  join  witli 
th(!  Apo.stie  in  his  elo<iuent  and  sublime  climax,  aiid  say,  "  We  know 
tliat  all  things  work  together  for  good  to  them  that  love  God,  to 
them  who  arc;  the  called  according  to  his  purpo.se.  Tor  whom  he 
did  foreknow,  he  also  did  predestinate  to  be  conformed  to  the  image 
of  his  Son,  that  he  might  be  the  first-born  among  many  breth- 
ren. Moreover,  whom  he  did  predestinate,  them  he  also  called ; 
and  whom  he  called,  them  he  also  justified ;  and  whom  he  justifi- 
ed, them  he  also  glorified  :"{'l)  and  with  the  Apostle,  too,  he  joy- 
fully unites  in  crying,  "What  shall  we  then  say  to  these  things? 
If  God  be  fur  us,  who  can  be  against  us?"(3) 

We  cannot  but  commiserate  the  case  of  those  tempted  .souls,  that 
fear  the  eternal  counsel  and  purpose  of  God  to  be  a  bar  to  their 
approach  to  Christ ;  deeming,  as  we  do,  the  want  of  a  cordial  as- 
.sent  0  the  Divine  will  to  b(>  the  only  bar.  We  would  fain  ask  them, 
helpl  .  .-<,  and  .sinful,  and  corrupt,  as  they  have  tbuiid  themselves  to 
be,  wlKlher  tlieir  salvation  would  appear  safer  in  their  own  hands 
than  in  those  of  the  everlasting  Jehovah  ?  Would  it  alford  them 
more  comfort  to  resort  to  soiik^  hidden,  unknown,  imaginary  re- 
source ill  themselves,  than  to  approach  the  Most  High  God,  and 
commit  their  cause  to  him  ?  Or  can  they  conceive  the  suppo.sed 
ability  of  their  own  hearts  to  will  their  own  regeneration  a  better 
foundation  for  the  hope  of  heaven,  a  greater  encouragement  to  them 
in  their  pursuit  of  eternal  life,  than  the  invitation  of  the  benevolent 
Saviour,  "  Come  unto  me,  all  ye  that  labor  and  are  heavy  laden, 
and  J  will  give  you  rest, "(4)  and  "  him  that  cometh  unto  me  i  will 
in  no  wi.se  cast  out  !"(.j) 

Having  now  conducted  our  readers  through  the  first  part  of  tlii.s 
sketch,  and  exhibited  to  them  a  brief  view  of  the  somewhat  re- 
markable progress,  wiiioh  a  number  of  persons,  without  any  pro- 
meditated  plan,  were  led  gradually  to  make,  in  the  investigation  of 
truth,  and  towards  the  establishment  among  them  of  the  stated 


(1)  Eph.  ii.  10.  (2)  Rom.  viii,  28,  2l>,  30.  (.S)  Rom.  viii.  31. 

(i)  Mutt.  Xi.  28,  (.5)  John  vi.  37, 


Wfc 


'^ 


M 


:.TFS  •-"^'^ 


24 

preaching  of  the  pure  "gospel  of  the  grace  of  God;"  we  introduce 
them  with  pleasure  to  the  second  part  of  this  Memoir,  where  will 
be  found  a  statement  of  the  interesting  facts  more  directly  connect- 
ed with  the  formation  of  the  Church  in  Granville-street. 


PART   II. 

Arrival  of  Professor  Chase —  The  first  Baptism — Dedication  of 
the  Chapel,  and  Recognition  of  the  Church — Articles — Cove- 
nnnt — Ordination  of  the  Rev.  A.  Caswell — of  two  Deacons — 
Second  Baptism,  and  the  Lords  Supper — Conclusion. 


On  Thursday,  the  27th  of  September,  the  Rev.  Irah  Chase, 
Professor  of  Biblical  Theology  in  the  Newton  Theological  Institu- 
tion, near  Boston,  (Mass.)  arrived  at  Haliflix,  with  a  friend  who 
will  hereafter  be  more  particularly  mentioned.  They  were  cor- 
dially received  ;  and  they  entered  immediately  on  the  work  of  pro- 
moting the  spiritual  interests  «i'the  people,  and  of  taking  the  req- 
uisite steps  previous  to  the  anticipated  Baptism,  and  the  constitu- 
tion of  a  Church.  Six  believers  who  had  nut  truly  been  baptized, 
were  in  readiness  before  the  Lord's-day ;  and  much  attention  was 
excited  in  expectation  of  their  baptism. 

THE    BAPTISM. 

The  place  selected  for  the  administration  of  the  ordinance,  was 
a  quiet  and  delightful  spot  on  that  inlet  of  the  sea  above  Halifax 
called  Bedford  Basin.  A  convenient  house  was  near ,  and  the 
proprietor  kindly  opened  it  for  the  accommodation  of  the  candidates 
and  others. 

The  Lord's-day  morning  came.  The  weather  was  fine,  and  a 
large  assembly  stood  on  the  bank.  Professor  Chase  addressed  them 
thus : 

You  arc  aware,  my  friends,  of  the  purpose  for  which  we  are  here 
assembled.  We  have  conic  to  obey  one  of  the  commands  of  our 
Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ.  Your  countenances  tell  me  that 
you  have  not  come  hither  to  interrupt  nor  to  mock.     I  rejoice  in 


W 

'..i:-^ 


^     ^>--^B..^ 


26 


'e  introduce 

where  will 

tly  connect- 


edicatton  of 

'cles — Cov€' 

Deacons — 


[rah  Chase, 
ical  Institu- 
friend  who 
{  were  cor- 
vork  of  pro- 
ng the  req- 
lie  constitu- 
n  baptized, 
ention  was 


lanco,  was 
|ve  Halifax 
and  the 
andidatcs 

fne,  and  a 
tssed  them 

le  are  here 

Ids  of  our 

me  tliat 

rejoice  in 


Ike  confidence  that  you  have  come  to  listen,  and  to  beiiold  with  re- 
spectful attention.  I  need  not  detain  you  with  preliminary  re- 
marks. Let  us,  with  becoming  reverence,  enter  upon  the  devotion- 
al aervicea  that  are  before  us. 

HYMN  314,  c.  M.  (Winchcll's  Selection.) 

How  great,  how  solemn  is  the  work 

Which  we  attend  to-day  ! 
Now  for  a  holy,  solemn  frame, 

O  God,  to  thee  we  pray. 

O  may  we  feel  as  once  we  felt. 

When  mourning,  grieved,  and  faint, 

Thy  kind,  forgiving,  melting  look. 
Relieved  our  sad  complaint. 

Awake,  our  love,  our  fear,  our  hope. 

Wake,  fortitude  and  joy  ; 
Vain  world,  begone  ;  let  things  above 

Our  happy  thoughts  employ. 

Whilst  thee,  our  Saviour  and  our  God, 

To  all  around  we  own, 
Drive  each  rebellious,  rival  lust, 

Each  traitor  from  the  throne. 

Instruct  our  minds,  our  wills  subdue. 

To  heaven  our  passions  raise, 
That  hence  our  lives,  our  all  may  be 

Devoted  to  thy  praise. 

After  the  singing  of  this  hymn,  a  prayer  adapted  to  the  occasion 
was  offered.  A  solemn  impression  seemed  to  be  on  the  minds  of 
all ;  and  the  heart-felt  Amen  was  responded  by  many  at  the  close. 
The  administrator  then  addressed  a  few  words  to  the  assembly : 

On  this  occasion,  my  respected  hearers,  it  may  be  supposed  that 
I  should  vindicate  the  ordinance  we  have  come  to  observe.  But 
there  is  a  sul)|ect  whicli  ought  to  be  previously  settled.  When  I 
cast  my  eye  over  this  multitude,  my  mind  is  borne  onward  to  that 
day,  vvlien,  amidst  the  innumerable  multitude  of  all  nations,  we 
shall  meet  before  the  bar  of  God.  I  fear,  I  greatly  fear,  that  many 
(if  you  arc  unprepared  for  that  meeting.    O  let  me  speak  freely  to 

D 


'1    ^ 


it 


rU 


jour  consciences.  Aro  you  prepared  to  meet  your  God  ?  Hafc 
you  repented  of  your  sins  ?  Have  you,  with  all  the  heart,  believed 
on  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  become  his  willing  and  devoted  dis- 
ciples, each  saying,  "  Lord,  what  wilt  thou  have  me  to  do?" 

If  you  are  not  thus  prepared,  you  are  not  prepared  to  enter  prof- 
itably upon  the  discussion  of  the  subject  of  Baptism.  You  are 
neglecting  a  previous  subject,  a  subject  of  overwhelming  impor- 
tance. Your  souls  aro  in  danger  of  everlasting  perdition.  And 
God  forbid  that  I,  or  any  of  my  brethren,  should  call  away  your 
attention  from  your  first  and  immediate  duty  to  any  controversy 
respecting  any  external  rite  or  observance  which  Christ  has  enjoin- 
ed on  his  disciples.  Let  me  entreat  you  in  the  fear  and  love  of  God, 
to  settle  the  previous  subject, — to  become  in  heart  and  in  deed 
disciples  of  Christ.  Then  you  will  be  better  prepared  than  you 
can  be  at  present  to  consider  the  subject  of  Baptism  ;  and  then, 
while  your  bosoms  are  glowing  with  gratitude  to  him  who  loved  us, 
and  died  for  us,  I  would  refer  you  for  information  concerning  Bap- 
tism, and  most  confidently  I  would  refer  you,  to  the  Holy  Scrip- 
tures. Let  them  lead  you  ;  let  them,  with  the  love  of  God  shed  a- 
broad  in  the  heart,  be  your  guide. 

To  you,  my  dear  fellow  disciples,  who  arc  about  to  be  baptized 
in  the  name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost, 
it  becomes  me  to  address  a  few  words.  I  have  spoken  of  the  Holy 
Scriptures  as  our  guide.  Let  me  now  call  your  attention  to  one  pas- 
sage. From  the  many  that  occur  in  that  blessed  volume,  let  mo 
select  a  lesson  for  your  present  meditation  : — 


^ 


Rom.  vi.  1 — 13. 

1.  Uliat  shall wc  saij,  then?     Shall  wc  continue  in  sin  that  grace 

2.  may  abound  ?     God  forbid:  How  shall  wc  that  are  dead  to  sin 

3.  live  any  longer  therein  ?     Know  ye  not  that  so  many  of  us  as 
were  baptized  into  Jesus  Christ,  were  baptized  into  his  death  ? 


"Baptized  into  his  death" — We,  by  our  baptism,  the  Apostle 
would  say  to  his  Roman  brethren,  we,  by  our  baptism,  have  ex- 
pressed our  view  of  the  death  of  Christ,  and  the  effect  wliich  that 
view  has  had  on  ourselves.  Wc  have  viewed  him  dying  for  sin ; 
and  that  view  has  made  us  dead  to  sin.  "  Our  old  man,"  our  sin- 
ful propensities,  have  been  slain  :  they  have  been,  as  it  were,  cruci- 
fied with  Christ.    We  have  known  and  felt  that  we  ought  to  be  as 


27 


jod  T  ITaTG 
art,  believed 
devoted  dis- 
do?" 

:o  enter  prof- 
n.  You  are 
ming  impor- 
lition.  And 
II  away  your 
controversy 
t  has  enjoin- 
love  of  God, 
nd  in  deed 
id  than  you 
;  and  then, 
ho  loved  us, 
erning  Bap- 
Eloly  Scrip- 
God  shed  a- 

be  baptized 
Eloly  Ghost, 
of  the  Holy 
1  to  one  pas- 
ime,  let  mc 


that  grace, 
deod  to  sin 
1/  of  us  as 
s  death  ? 

10  Apostle 
1,  have  cx- 
vhich  that 
ig  for  sin ; 
our  bin- 
ere,  cruci- 
U  to  be  as 


insensible  to  the  allurements  of  sin  as  if  we  were  really  dead,  and 
were  become  so  many  corpses  ready  to  be  laid  in  the  grave.  At  the 
same  time,  we  have,  as  we  humbly  trust,  become  alive  to  holiness. 

We  have  then  experienced  a  death,  a  dcadness  to  sin,  as  Christ 
died  to  deliver  from  sin.  And  we  have  been  made  alive  to  holiness, 
by  the  divine  Spirit,  and  been  disposed  to  begin  a  new  and  never- 
ending  life  to  God,  as  Christ  rose  from  the  dead. 

By  being  "  baptized  into  Jesus  Ciirist,"  or  as  his  disciples,  the 
Apostle  would  say  tiiat  we  solemnly  and  most  impressively  inti- 
mated the  deatli  of  Christ,  and  our  dcadness  to  sin  ;  the  resurrec- 
tion of  Christ,  and  our  rising  to  a  new  life.  As  dead  to  sin  we 
were  burieil  by  baptism ;  and  as  alive  to  holiness  and  to  God,  we 
rose  again  from  the  watery  grave. 

4.  Therefore  wc  are.  htiricd  with  him,  hy  baptism,  into  death,  that, 
like  as   Christ  was  raised  up  from  the  dead  by  the  glory  of  the 

6.  Father,  even  so  we  also  should  walk  in  newness  of  life.  For  if 
we  have  been  planted  together  in  the  likeness  of  his  death,  toe 
shall  be  also  in  the  likeness  of  his  resurrection. 

In  other  words,  if  we  have  been  made  similar  to  him,  or  have 
been  associated  with  him  in  the  likeness  of  his  death ;  if,  in  view  of 
his  death,  we  have  come  so  to  sympathize  with  him  as  to  be  dead 
to  sin,  wo  shall  be  associated  with  him  also  in  the  likeness  of  his 
resurrection.  We  shall  be  quickened  and  raised  up  as  it  were  from 
the  dead  ;  we  shall  become  alive  to  God ;  we  shall  enter  on  a  new 
life,  a  life  of  holiness,  a  life  that  shall  never  end. 

C.  Knoiring  this,  that  our  old  matt  is  crucified  with  him,  that  the 
body  of  sin  might  be  destroyed,  that  henceforth  we  should  not 

7.  serve  sin.     For  he  that  is  dead  is  freed  from  sin.     Now  if  wc 

8.  be  dead  with  Christ,  we  believe  that  we  shall  also  live  loith  him: 

9.  Knowing  that  Christ  being  raised  from  the  dead,  dieth  no  more ; 

10.  death  hath  no  more  dominion  over  him.     For  in  that  he  died,  he 
died  unto  sin  once;  but  in.  that  he  liveth,  he  livcth  unto  God. 

11.  Likewise  reckon  yc  also  yourselves  to  be  dead  indeed  unto  sin, 
ri,  but  alive  unto  God,  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Let  not 

sin,  therefore,  reign  in  your  mortal  body,  that  yc  should  obey 
13.  it  in  the  lusts  thereof:  Neither  yield  ye  your  members  as  in- 
stnimcnts  of  unrighteousness  unto  sin ;  but  yield  yourselves  un- 
to God  us  those  thai  arc  alive  from  the  dead,  and  your  mem- 
bers as  instruments  of  righteousness  unto  God, 


I  .3 


,1' 


\P\ 


28 


I  I 


Dear  brethren  andflisters  in  Christ!  you  see  the  obligations  that 
rest  on  the  baptized.  And,  blessed  be  God,  you  do  not  wish  them 
to  be  lighter  nor  weaker.  If  you  have  found  the  burden  of  sin  to 
be  intolerable,  and  if  Christ  has  given  you  rest,  you  will  find  that 
his  yoke  is  easy,  and  his  burden  is  light  Think  of  the  floods  of 
sufferings  that  rolled  over  his  righteous  soul.  Think  of  his  death  ; 
think  of  his  grave ;  think  of  his  resurrection.  And  never,  never 
forget  that  being  "  buried  by  baptism,"  and  raised  up  as  from 
the  grave,  you  will  be  specially  obligated  henceforth  to  lead  a 
new  and  holy  life. 

Think  of  the  power  of  the  Saviour  who  rose  from  the  dead. 
lie  had  power  to  lay  down  his  life,  and  he  had  power  to  take  it 
again.  All  power  in  heaven  and  in  earth  belongs  to  him.  To  him 
then  commit  yourselves  without  reserve.  Obey  his  voice.  Trust 
his  grace.  Here,  in  his  strength,  resolve  anew  to  strive  against  ev- 
ery sinful  propensity,  till  you  pass  through  the  waters  of  death ;  for 
he  is  "  able  to  keep  you  from  falling,  and  to  present  you  faultless 
before  the  presence  of  his  glory,,  with  exceeding  joy." 

The  candidates,  after  this  address,  were  led  successively  down 
into  the  water,  and  baptized. 

Silence  and  decorum  pervaded  the  assembly,  and  some  were  af- 
fected to  tears.  In  some  of  the  intervals  occupied  in  coming  up 
out  of  the  water,  and  in  descending,  a  verse  of  an  appropriate  hymn 
ivas  sung  upon  the  shore.  Then  all  was  stillness,  but  the  voice  of 
the  administrator,  and  the  gentle  moving  of  the  water.  The  ser- 
vices were  closed  with  a  very  brief  and  pertinent  prayer,  and  a 
benediction. 


4 


t 


DEDICATION   OF  THE    CHAPEL,    AND   RECOGNITION   OF   THE  CHURCH. 

In  the  afternoon,  the  stone  Chapel  was  opened  the  first  time  for 
public  worship  ;  and  appropriate  praises  and  prayers  were  offered  to 
God.  Prof  Chase  then  read  the  articles  of  belief  and  cove- 
nant,(l)  which  had  been  adopted  by  the  newly  constituted  Church 
as  follows  : 

As  God  has  been  pleased  to  put  it  into  the  hearts  of  a  number  of 
persons  to  complete  in  this  place  a  new  house  for  his  worship,  and 


(1)  The  same  in  substance  with  those  of  the  Nova-Scotia  Baptist  Association, 
but  preferred  for  ordinary  use,  as  being  more  brief  and  simple. 


29 


ligations  that 
Jt  wish  them 
len  of  sin  to 
vill  find  that 
he  floods  of 
>f  his  death ; 
lever,  never 
up  as  from 
h  ta  lead  a 

I  tlie  dead, 
to  take  it 
1.  To  him 
ice.  Trust 
against  ev- 
death;  far 
}u  faiiltlcs« 

ivoly  down 

e  were  af- 
oming  up 
iate  hymn 
e  voice  of 
The  ser- 
er,  and  a 


CHURCH. 

time  for 
)frered  to 
id    cove- 
Church 

imberof 
hip,  and 

sociation. 


the  work  having  thus  far  been  accomplished  in  circumstances  pc- 
culiarly  interesting,  and  with  evident  tokens  of  the  mnivs  of  the 
great  Head  of  the  Church,  we  feel  it  an  incumbent  duty,  with  a  view 
to  the  glory  of  the  rich  grace  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour,  whicii  wc 
trust  wc  have  experienced,  and  to  the  extension  of  his  kingdom 
among  men,  to  associate  and  covenant  together  in  the  bonds  of  fel- 
lowship as  members  of  a  church  of  Christ ;  and  knowing  that,  as 
"  with  the  heart  man  belicveth  unto  righteousness,"  so  "  witli  the 
mouth  conlession  is  made  unto  salvation,"  and  that  it  may  be  useful 
and  gratifying  to  others  to  be  correctly  informed  concerning  our  be- 
lief, we  deem  it  suitable  to  make  the  following  declaration  of 

Our  Views  of  Christian  Doctrine. 

We  believe  that  the  Holy  Bible  was  written  by  men  divinely  in- 
spired ;  that  it  is  a  perfect  rule  of  faith  and  practice ;  and  that, 
among  others,  it  teaches  the  following  important  truths : 

I.  That  there  is  one  only  living  and  true  God,  infinite  in  every 
natural  and  moral  excellence. 

II.  That  he  has  revealed  him.self  as  the  Father,  and  the  Son, 
(or  ihe  Word,)  and  the  Holy  Ghost,  the  same  in  essence  and  equal 
in  divine  qualities. 

III.  That  man  was  created  holy  ;  but  that  by  wilfully  violating 
the  law  of  his  Maker,  he  fell  from  that  state ;  so  that  by  nature 
there  is  in  us  no  holiness  ;  but  we  are  all  inclined  to  evil,  and,  "  in 
that  all  have  sinned,"  all  are  children  of  wrath,  justly  exposed  to 
death,  and  other  miseries  temporal,  spiritual,  and  eternal. 

IV.  That  the  only  way  of  salvation  from  this  state  of  guilt  and 
condemnation  is  through  the  righteousness  and  atonement  of  Jesus 
Christ,  the  Word,  who  miraculously  assumed  our  nature  without 
sin,  or  became  incarnate,  for  the  suifering  of  death,  and  "  whom 
God  hath  set  forth  to  be  a  propitiation  through  faith  in  his  blood  ;" 
having  "  so  loved  the  world  that  he  gave  his  only  begotten  Son, 
that  whosoever  believeth  in  him,  should  not  perish,  but  have  ever- 
lasting life." 

V.  That  all  who  are  brought  to  repentance  and  faith,  were 
chosen  in  Christ  before  the  foundation  of  the  world ;  and  that,  in 
consequence,  not  of  their  own  merit,  but  of  God's  own  purpose  and 
grace,  the  Holy  Ghost,  (without  whose  influence  none  would  ever 
repent  and  believe,)  performs  the  work  of  regeneration  in  theii 
hearts. 


I 


^ 


71 


r'l 


¥ 


I 


'r 


30 

VI.  That  notliing  can  separate  true  believers  from  the  love  of 
God,  but  they  will  be  "  kept  by  the  power  of  God  through  faith 
unto  salvation,"  the  sure  and  final  proof  of  their  being  true  be* 
licvers,  consisting  in  the  continuance  of  their  attachment  and  obe- 
dience to  Christ  till  the  close  of  life. 

VII.  That  the  only  proper  subjects  of  the  ordinance  of  Baptism 
and  the  Lord's  Supper,  are  professed  believers  ;  and  that  baptism  is 
properly  adminiat(;red  only  by  immersion,  and  is,  by  scriptural  e.\- 
ample,  a  pre-requisite  to  communion  at  the  Lord's  table. 

VIII.  That  according  to  the  example  of  the  Apostles,  and  earli- 
est disciples,  sanctioned  by  the  repeated  presence  of  Christ  himself, 
after  his  resurrection,  the  first  day  of  the  week  is  to  be  observed  as 
the  Lord's-day,  or  Christian  Sabbath. 

IX.  That  there  will  be  a  resurrection  of  the  just  and  the  unjust, 
and  that  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  will  come  to  judge  both  the  living 
and  the  dead ;  when  those  who  have  contiimcd  or  died  impenitent 
and  unreconciled  to  God,  will  be  sentenced  to  endless  punishment, 
according  to  the  desert  of  their  sins ;  and  those  who  have  truly  re- 
pented and  turned  to  God,  relying  solely  on  the  merits  of  him  who 
died,  the  just  for  the  unjust,  will  be  completely  delivered  from 
the  dominion  of  sin,  and  be  admitted  into  the  holy  and  heavenly  Je- 
rusalem with  Bongs  and  everlastmg  joy  :  so  shall  they  be  ever  with 

the  Lord. 

Church  Covenant. 

As  we  trust  that  we  have  been  brought  by  divine  grace  to  receive 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  by  the  influences  of  his  Spirit  to  give 
ourselves  up  to  him,  so  we  do  row  solemnly  covenant  with  each 
other,  as  God  shall  enable  us,  to  walk  together  in  brotherly  love ; 
that  we  will  exercise  a  Christian  care  and  watchfulness  over  each 
other,  and  faithfully  admonish  and  entreat  one  another,  as  occa- 
sion may  require  ;  that  we  will  not  forsake  the  assembling  of 
ourselvca  together,  nor  neglect  the  great  duty  of  prayer  for  our- 
selves and  for  others,  that  we  will  endeavor  to  bring  up  such  as 
may  at  any  time  be  under  our  care,  in  the  nurture  and  admonition 
of  the  Lord,  and,  by  a  pure  and  lovely  example,  to  win  our  kin- 
dred and  acquaintances  to  the  Saviour,  to  holiness,  and  to  eternal 
life;  that  we  will  participate  in  each  other's  joys,  and  endeavor 
with  tenderness  and  sympathy  to  bear  each  other's  burdens  and 
sorrows  ;  that  we  will  seek  divine  aid  to  enable  us  to  live  circum- 
spectly and  watchfully  in  the  world,  "  denying  ungodliness  and 


W 


31 


the  love  of 
"""Ugh  faith 
"/?  true  be 
It  and  obc- 

of  Baptism 
'>ii|)tisin  is 
'I'luraJ  ex- 

and  earli- 
St  liiinseJf, 
bacrved  as 

he  unjust, 
tlie  living 
iiipcnitent 
iiislitnent, 
2  truJy  re- 
liim  who 
rod  from 
ivenly  Je- 
ever  with 


o  receive 
t  to  give 
itii  each 
rJy  love ; 
'er  each 
IS  occa- 
^iing  of 
for  our- 
'uch  as 
ion  it  ion 
iir  kin- 
eternal 
d«»avor 
IS  and 
irciim- 
is  and 


worldly  lusts,"  and  remembering  that,  as  wo  have  voluntarily  been 
buried  by  baptism,  and  have  been  raised  up  from  tlio  emblematicaJ 
grave,  so  there  is  on  us  a  s])ecial  obligation  henceforth  lo  load  a 
new  and  holy  life;  that  we  will  strive  together  for  the  support  of  a 
faithful,  evangelical  ministry  among  us  ;  and,  through  life,  amidst 
evil  report  and  good  report,  seek  to  live  to  the  -y  of  him  who 
hath  called  us  out  of  darkness  into  his  marvellous  light. 

After  the  reading  of  this  paper,  he  proceeded  to  the  public  re- 
cognition of  the  Church,  by  presenting  the  hand  of  fellowship  to  one 
of  the  members  who  had  been  appointed  to  receive  it  for  the  whole, 
Baying  : 

My  dear  Brother, — I  cannot  express  the  emotions  of  my  heart 
on  this  occasion.  It  is  a  day  of  holy  jv^y ;  it  is  a  day  that  t/ie  Lord 
hath  made. 

What  though  till  within  the  last  week,  wo  were  foreigners  and 
strangers  to  each  other '?  The  spirit  of  the  Cliristian  religion  re- 
gards not  the  lines  that  mark  otT  the  world  into  separate,  and,  alas! 
too  often  hostile  empires.  And  what  are  all  the  worldly  interests 
of  the  mightiest  empires,  compared  with  the  interests  of  that 
kingdom  which  is  not  of  this  world  t 

We  will  be  thankful  for  the  blessings  of  civil  government,  so 
I'ichly  enjoyed  in  our  respective  countries.  We  will  pray  for  all 
that  are  in  authority.  Wo  will  render  to  Cesar  the  things  that  are 
Cesar's,  and  to  God  the  things  that  are  God's.  Yes,  wliile  we  are 
attached  respectively  to  our  countries,  and  cheerfully  perform  our 
respective  duties  to  tiicm,  it  is  tlu'  kingdom,  the  spiritual  kingdom 
of  Christ  of  which  it  is  our  highest  joy  and  glory  to  be  subjects. 
As  such  we  here  meet  each  other.  The  events  of  this  day  prove 
that  the  members  of  the  Ch\irch  whose  articles  of  belief  and  cov- 
enant we  have  been  reading,  understand  the  nature  of  a  Christian 
Churcii,  and  desire  above  all  tilings  to  serve  and  please  the  Lord. 
You  would  receive  his  doctrine  and  obey  his  commands.  You 
would  help  each  other  forward  in  all  that  is  lovely  and  of  good  re- 
port. You  would  show  forth  his  praise  by  your  own  lives ;  and  you 
would  use  the  means  which  he  has  appointed  for  promoting  his 
glory  in  the  prevalance  of  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus,  and  the  salva- 
tion of  souls. 

There  is  a  general  bond  that  unites  the  regenerate,  of  whatever 
name,  and  wherever  they  may  be  discovered.     And  from  the  na- 


."^ 


turc  of  the  cose,  there  it,  there  must  be,  and  ought  to  be,  a  9pc< 
ciai  tic  binding  together  those  whose  views  of  religious  doctriuo 
und  dulius  enable  them  to  act  in  closer  concert. 

Receive  then,  my  brother,  the  hand  of  fellowship.  It  is  a  token, 
not  only  of  christian  love,  but  also  of  our  christian  union  in  main- 
taining the  trutli  and  the  commands  of  our  Lord.  It  is  the  pledge 
of  the  deep  and  thrilling  interest  that  shall  continue  to  bo  felt  in  the 
welfare  of  this  Church.  When  far  away  from  you,  I  shall  call  to 
mind  the  events  of  this  day,  my  heart  shall  not  cease  to  pray  for  tho 
wclfurc  of  this  church,  and  tor  your  being  a  blessing  to  all  this  peo- 
ple. We  are  one  ;  wo  have  one  Lord,  one  faith,  one  baptism.  In 
behalf  of  my  brethren,  and  of  all  the  churches  in  the  bosom  of 
which  my  lot  has  been  cast,  I  give  to  you  most  heartily,  this  hand 
of  fellowship,  and  through  you  to  every  member  of  this  Church, 
und  to  all  the  churches  and  ministers  of  the  same  faith  and 
order,  throughout  this  Province,  and  throughout  the  whole  British 
Empire. 

An  appropriate  discourse  was  then  delivered,  evincing  the  tenden- 
cy of  Christian  principles  and  experioncc  to  promo'.e,  in  the  profes- 
sors of  religion,  Humility  with  regard  to  (ii>d,  and  to  one  another,  and 
to  the  unregenerate ;  and  the  Church  wub  urged  by  every  moving 
consideration  in  the  present  posture  of  it-^  affairs  to  continue  to  cher- 
ish this  amiable  temper,  and  thus  to  hope  for  the  blessing  of  God. 


pro! 
diul 
whJ 
pel. 
perl 


To 


THE  ORDINATION. 

Professor  Alexis  Caswo)!,  from  the  college  near  tho  city  of  Wash- 
ington in  the  United  State;.,  being  on  a  visit  in  Newton  and  Bos- 
ton at  the  time  of  Professor  Chase's  embarking,  yielded  to  his  earn- 
est solicitation  to  accompany  hiui  to  Halifax.  He  was  a  licensed 
preacher,  and  he  yielded  to  the  solicitation  with  a  view  of  assisting 
Prof.  Chase,  (whose  health,  impaired  by  a  recent  attack  of  fever,  had 
not  been  completely  restored,)  and  of  returning  soon  after  him  to 
the  States.  But  in  consideration  of  the  peculiarly  interesting  stale 
of  the  people,  and  of  the  prospect  of  there  being  repeated  calls  for 
the  administration  of  baptism  and  the  Lord's  supper.  Prof.  Chase, 
(to  whom  he  had  long  been  intimately  known,)  and  the  whole 
church  were  deeply  impressed  with  the  propriety  and  the  impor- 
tance of  his  being  ordained  to  the  ministry  of  the  gospel,  and  of  his 


>'H, 


33 


\ 


it- 


protracting  bis  stay  at  TTalifux.  In  tliia  meaiiif  they  had  tli  rof 
diul  ciicouru^tMiii'iit  of  tlin  beloved  and  venrr  "  Rider  R  ton, 
whose  life  has  been  almost  worn  out  here  in  the  service  of  the  gos- 
pel. If  the  ordination  was  to  occur,  it  was  requisite  to  have  it 
performed  the  succeeding  Lord's-day. 

The  request  was  in  a  very  improNsive  manner  presented  to  Prof. 
Caswell,  at  a  nieetinj;  held  in  tlu'  house  of  one  of  tlic  bretlircn. 
He  desired  that  special  prayer  be  made  in  his  behalf  lor  divine  di- 
rection. 

A  day  or  two  after,  the  following  note  was  received  : 

Ilalifat,  Oct.  3,  1827. 

To  Prof.  Chase. 

Dear  Sir,  I  have  been  revolving  in  my  mind  the  subject  which 
was  proposed  yesterday.  1  have  cndeiivored  to  divest  myself,  as 
far  as  possible,  of  all  selfish  motives  and  feelings,  and  to  say,  Itordy 
what  wilt  thou  have  me  to  iln  ? 

I  have  not  omitted  to  imagine  myself  in  the  presence  of  the  Sav- 
iour, and  to  be  asked,  What  hast  thou  (hue  ?  I  have  feared  to  de- 
cline the  invitation  of  tlie  brethren,  lest  I  should  have  hereafter 
deeply  to  feel  that  I  have  been  unfaithful,  have  shrunk  from  the 
performance  of  obvious  duty.  J  feel,  as  I  have  before  told  you, 
that  my  strength  is  perfect  weakness ;  but  at  the  same  time  I  dare 
not  doubt  that  God  is  able  to  make  my  weakness  the  instrument 
and  occasion  of  infmite  good.     I  put  my  trust  in  him. 

You  will  make  the  arrangements,  in  concert  with  the  brethren, 
for  the  services  of  Lord's-day  ;  and  God  grant  that  his  gracious 
presence  may  be  with  us. 

I  wish  the  subject  of  Deacons  may  not  be  omitted  in  your  de- 
liberations. 

Yours  sincerely,  A.  CASWELL. 

This  subject  was  not  omitted ;  and  two  of  the  brethren  were 
accordingly  appointed  to  the  office  of  Deacons. 

The  preliminary  steps  having  been  taken,  the  public  services 
of  the  ordination  wore  performed  in  the  chapel,  on  the  Lord's-day 
morning,  the  7th  of  October.  Prof  Chase  officiated  as  the  pre- 
siding minister.  The  sermon  by  him,  from  Rom.  xv.  29,  was 
adapted  to  impress  the  mind  with  the  unutterable  worth  of  the  gos- 
pel as  the  richest  blessing  that  Heaven  can  bestow  upon  a  people. 
The  impressive  circumstances  of  the  occasion  were  adverted  to ; 

E 


I 


/] 


34 


II 


If 


ami  ilifl  following  qiiostionR  solemnly  propouiulcd  to  tlio  candidate 
Tlio  replios  wore  pivon  in  effect  as  hero  annexed. 

Ill  times  past,  my  hrother,  you  have  proieHurd  t<»  repent,  and  be- 
lieve on  the  liOrd  .lexiiM  Christ  with  nil  your  heart.  Yon  have  |)ro- 
fe.s.sed  to  renonnce  all  de|»endunce  on  your  own  merits,  unil  to  rely 
for  MaJviuion  solely  on  th>:  niuritH  and  atonement  of  C'hiist  and  him 
crucified.  And  yon  have  profes.sed  your  willinjKne.sa  to  receive  as 
his  di.iciple  all  that  he  has  taught,  and  to  oltey  all  that  he  has  com- 
manded.— Do  you  denire  this  day  to  liold  (axt  your  profession? 

Ans.  I  desire  to  lay  a.-^ide  every  weijjht  and  sin,  which  doth  so 
cnsiily  bc.set  me,  and  to  run  with  patience  the  race  that  is  set  before 
inc.(I) 

Qiics.     And  to  look  still  to  (^hrist  for  your  salvation? 

Ahs.  For  arceptiiiire  with  (iod  f  run  look  to  no  other  ;  "  fiir 
he  hath  made  him  to  be  sin  for  us,  who  knew  no  sin,  that  we  might 
be  made  the  right(>ousness  of  God  in  him."('i)  Salvation,  as  I  es- 
teem it,  is  all  of  grace  ;  "  not  of  v»orks,  lest  any  man  should  boast." 

Qiieii.  And  do  you  desir*;  to  fjivo  all  the  glory  of  it  to  the  Fa- 
ther, and  the  Son,  and  the  Jloly  Ghost? 

Ana.     1  i\o. 

Qitfs.  Do  yon  trust  tliat  you  have  been  inwardly  moved  and 
constrained  by  the  Holy  .Spirit,  according  to  the  will  of  our  Lord 
Jesu3  Christ,  to  enter  on  the  ministry  of  the  gospel  ? 

Ans.     I  do. 

Qiirs.  What  are  some  of  the  objects  in  view  of  which  you  have 
felt  yourself  thus  constrained  ? 

Alls.  The  object  in  view  of  which  T  fir.«it  felt  constrained  to 
preach  the  gospel  was  the  exceeding  greatness  u\'  the  love  of  God 
manifesterl  in  the  gift  of  his  Son  to  die  for  sinners. 

When  it  pleased  him,  as  I  trust  it  did,  to  show  nic  the  sinfulness 
of  my  own  heart,  the  just  condemnation  in  which  sin  had  involved 
myself  and  the  whole  human  family,  and  the  abundant  riches  of 
his  grace  in  the  new  covenant,  I  felt  an  ardent  desire  to  preach 
Christ  and  him  crucified  to  every  creature. 

These  ardent  feelings,  however,  which  are  probably  in  a  greater 
or  le  •  degree  common  to  all  christians,  1  did-  not  regard  as  a  crite- 
rion of  duty.  On  more  mature  experience,  and  after  the  lapse  of 
«  few  years,  during  which  I  had  an  opportunity  to  ibservc  the 


(1)  Heb.xii  I 


(2)  2  Cor.  V.  21. 


35 


Vrogr(>«8  of  my  nxcrcmes  on  iIiIh  Hubjoct,  as  w«;ll  us  the  pointinjis 
«)t  rroviik-iui',  I  Hit  it  my  duty  tn  devolu  tliu  tiiknta  wlutli  God 
had  gi'  ju  ino  to  the  ^o^pcl  iniiuNtry. 

Otiicr  walks  of  life  \ver«  ofit-n  lieforo  nic  ;  Imt  when  I  rcincrii- 
bcred  the  price  of  our  ii'ilcinptiori,  tlic  procioiis  Idortd  of  Christ ; 
when  I  ItKikcd  I'orw.inl  to  d(;iith  :ui>l  to  a  liitiiri-  judgment ;  w  lien  I 
paw  sinners  livinj,' and  dyinir  wilhoul  tJod  ami  wiiiioiit  hope — (ho 
harvest  plenteous,  and  the  lahorors  few,  I  felt  constrained  to  isay, 
Ijun/,  /hi;  am  I ;  w/mf  iri/f  thou  Inirr  mr  to  do  .'  1  d«;.sir«!  to  i,'lorify 
thee  in  my  liody  and  my  spirit,  which  uro  thine,  and  to  tef-tiiy  tho 
gortpel  of  the  jj;race  of  (iod. 

1  have;  not  been  without  many  trials  on  this  su!)j«ct,  trials  whicli 
1  need  not  now  recount. 

i  trenjhie  in  view  of  the  responsiljiiitins  of  a  minister  of  Christ. 
Consetpicwices  of  eternal  moment,  1  am  convinced,  hani?  upon  hi<< 
every  act.  And  y<'t,  awful  as  these  respoiisihilitii's  are,  I  oannot, 
without  doing  violence  to  my  convictions  of  duty,  nay,  I  dare  not 
turn  my  back  u|x>n  them. 

Qhis.  Do  you  rccciive  the  Holy  Scriptures  as  your  rule  of  faith 
and  pract'cc,  and  as  tho  word  of  Uod  wljicli  you  are  to  e.\i)ound 
and  enforce  ? 

Ann.     1  do. 

Qu.es.  And  do  you  receive  as  a  summary  statement  of  scriptural 
doctrine,  the  articles  of  belief  which  are  received  in  this  Church? 

Ans.     1  do. 

Qiirs.  On  what  do  you  rely  for  strength  and  for  success  in  your 
labours  us  a  minister  of  the  gospel  f 

Ans.  I  rely  on  the  promise  of  .lesus  Christ,  after  his  resurrec- 
tion from  tl\e  dead,  lo  his  tdcveu  disciples  and  to  their  successors 
in  tile  ministerial  i.llice,  Lo,  I  am  with  you  ulwai/,  coca  untotliv  end 
of  the  world. 

h  is  the  cause  of  God,  and  must  prevail.  The  entire  work  of 
producing  in  the  hearts  of  men,  rept-iitance,  love,  faith,  and  every 
graejoiiH  exercise,  is  of  the  «)p(;ratioii  of  his  S[)irit.  But  in  the  pro- 
duction of  tiicse  elFects,  ho  uses  moans;  and  among  them,  as  hold- 
ing an  eminent  place,,  is  the  *'  ministry  of  reconciliation,"'  which  is 
committed  unto  us.  This  treasure  we  liave  in  earthen  vessels?, 
that  the  excelleiuy  of  the  power  may  he  of  God,  and  not  of  us. 
In  iiiiii  do  I  pill  my  trust.  If  it  siiall  please  him  to  miikc  use  of 
one  so  utterly  unwonhy  of  his  notice,  as  1  feel  myself  to  be,  for  the 


■■^-.» 


36 


advancement  of  his  kingdom  on  the  earth,  to  his  great  name  wil!  I 
forever  ascribe  the  glory. 

These  replies  having  been  made,  the  ordaining  prayer  was  of- 
fered, with  the  laying  on  of  hands,  after  which  the  ministers  present 
gave  the  hand  of  fellowship  with  appropriate  remarks.  Prof 
Chase  observed : — 

The  solemn  transactions  of  this  day,  my  brother,  cannot  but  re- 
mind you  of  similar  services  performed  in  the  primitive  church  at 
Antioch,  when  Paul  and  Barnabas  were  separated  to  the  work  to 
which  God  had  called  them.(l)  You  see  there  a  few  ministers  of 
our  Lord  engaged  in  fasting  and  prayer,  and  laying  on  of  hands,  and 
while  they  send  forth  their  brethren,  giving  them  the  right  hand  of 
fellowship.  What  a  faith,  and  what  a  fellowship,  dear  brother,  must 
that  little  band  of  disciples  have  had !  They  stood  almost  alone  in  the 
world.  Here  and  there  only  was  to  be  found  a  Church  of  the  Lord 
Jesus.  They  were  surrounded  with  superstition  and  idolatry.  Their 
sect  was  every  where  spoken  against.  They  were  persecuted,  and 
driven  from  city  to  city.  The  powers  of  earth  and  iicll,  they  knew 
would  be  arrayed  against  them.  The  strong  holds  of  Satan  yet  re- 
mained, for  the  most  part,  in  proud  security.  Not  a  single  nation 
nor  tribe  could  in  any  sense  of  the  word,  be  called  Christian.  The 
whole  world  was  sunk  either  in  Jewish  bigotry  or  in  heathenism. 
And  yet  this  little  ban*'  was  not  appalled.  They  bound  to  their 
hearts  the  command  of  their  ascended  Lord.  They  relied  on  his 
promise.  They  moved  directly  forward  in  the  prosecution  of  his 
plans  of  mercy.  They  meditated  a  work  as  great  as  the  command 
of  their  Saviour, — the  preaching  of  the  gospel  to  every  creature, — 
the  watching  for  souls  as  they  that  must  give  account, — the  be- 
seeching of  men  to  be  reconciled  to  God, — and,  in  a  word,  the  con- 
version of  the  world. 

Embarking  in  this  enterprise,  so  big  with  difficulties  and  dan- 
gers, they  freely  gave  to  each  other  the  right  hand  of  fellowship— a 
token  of  love  and  union— of  fellowship  in  the  Christian  faith,  of 
fellowship  in  the  labors  of  the  ministry,  of  fellowship  in  success, 
of  fellowship  in  sufferings,  and  of  fellowship  in  consolation. 

By  this,  too,  it  was  declared  that  while  Paul  and  Barnabas  were 
sent  abroad,  and  others  continued  at  home,  the  cause  which  they 
abored  to  promote  was  tlic  same. 


ou 
in 
re 
to 
to 
b 


m 


(I)  Acts  xiii.  2,  3.    Gal.  ii.  9. 


37 


le  will  I 

was  of- 
rs  present 
Is.     Prof. 

lot  but  re- 
liurch  at 
work  to 
inislcrs  of 
amis,  and 
|it  hand  of 
licr,  must 
ne  in  the 
the  Lord 
ry.  Their 
uted,  and 
hey  knew 
tan  yet  re- 
?le  nation 
an.     The 
athenism. 
d  to  their 
^<i  on  his 
on  of  his 
command 
eature, — 
—the  be- 
,  the  con- 

nd  dan- 
i^ship — a 
faith,  of 
success, 
I. 

'fis  were 
;h  they 


They  acted  their  part  nobly.  They  fell  each  at  his  post ;  and 
our  religious  enjoyments  this  day,  are,  under  God,  some  of  the 
fruits  of  their  victories.  But  the  conflict  is  not  yet  over.  Much 
remains  to  be  done.  And,  as  we  are  called  in  Divine  Providence 
to  the  places  of  those  wno  have  gone  before  us  in  this  service,  \vc 
too  will  give  the  right  hand  of  fellowship;  we  too  will  welcome  our 
brother  to  our  trials,  and  labors,  and  joys. 

Accept  then,  my  brother,  this  right  hand,  the  token  of  our 
Christian  love,  and  of  our  confidence  in  you  as  a  minister  of  the 
gospel.  By  this  we  declare  our  disposition  to  sympathize  in  your 
sorrows,  and  to  rejoice  in  your  joys.  We  welcome  you  to  all  tin; 
duties  and  privileges  of  the  ministry,  and  to  all  its  trials  too ;  for 
trials  it  still  has.  But  through  Christ  who  strengtheneth  us,  we 
can  do  all  things. 

The  hand  of  Providence  has  been  signally  manifest  in  bringing 
us  to  stand  on  the  high  and  holy  ground  where  we  do  now.  May 
the  hand  of  Providence  still  be  our  guide  and  support.  We  have 
toiled  together  at  a  seat  of  science  and  literature,  endeared  to  us  by 
a  thousand  tender  and  interesting  recollections.  We  have  toiled 
together  in  circumstances  peculiarly  adapted  to  make  lasting  im- 
pressions on  the  mind  ;  and,  thanks  be  to  God !  we  have  toiled  to- 
gether in  love.  Here,  in  the  presence  of  this  assembly  and  of 
Heaven,  we  renew  the  pledges  of  continued  attachment.  Our 
grand  object  is  still  the  same ;  and  while  we  live,  let  us  live  lik(; 
brethren.  What  is  our  life !  "  It  is  even  a  vapor  that  appeareth  for 
a  little  time,  and  then  vanisheth  away."  Ten  years  have  just  com- 
pleted their  course  since  the  day  of  my  own  ordination.  And  the 
hand  of  that  dear  man  of  God,*  which  was  then  extended  in 
behalf  of  all  his  brethren,  and  which  clasped  my  own  in  token  of 
fellowship,  has  long  since  mouldered  into  dust ;  and  the  voice  which 
cheered  me  on  that  day,  has  long  since  been  hushed  in  the  silence  of 
the  irrave.  But  the  recollection  is  sweet  to  the  soul ;  and  it  endears 
the  hope  of  heaven.  By  the  love  we  bear  to  the  cause  of  our  Lord 
and  to  the  souls  of  men,  by  the  shortness  of  our  lives,  by  the  memory 
of  departed  brethren,  while  we  live,  let  us  live  like  brethren.  At 
the  same  time,  let  us  put  our  hope,  not  in  each  other,  but  in  God. 
And  wherever,  or  whatever,  this  frail  hand  may  be  when  ten  more 


i: 


1     i 


'  Mr.  Winchell,  thtn  Pastor  of  the  First  Baptist  Church  in  Boston. 


-m^_^ 


68 

years  shall  have  passed  away,  you  will  not  be  discouraged.     There 
is  an  Almighty  Hand  that  will  not  fail  you. 

After  this  part  of  the  service  was  ended,  passages  from  the  Epis- 
tles of  Paul,  addressed  to  a  junior  minister  of  Christ  were  read, 
(ITini.  vi.  1— 14;  2  Tim.  ii. '^4,  25;  iv.  1,2,5;  Titus  ii.;  iii.1,2; 
1  Tim.  iv.  10,)  and  Prof  Chase  proceeded  in  substance  as  follows: 

"Take  heed  unto  thyself,"  my  brother.  You  are  surrounded  with 
dangers  and  temptations,  and  you  can  be  guarded  against  them  on- 
ly by  being  yourself  deeply  imbued  with  the  spirit  of  your  holy 
calling.  If  you  wish  to  have  unction  and  energy  given  to  your 
preaching ;  if  you  wish  to  be  a  good  minister  of  Jesus  Clirist,  aim 
constantly  at  high  attainments  in  personal  piety,  and  let  your  daily 
jife  be  your  most  eloquent  sermon. 

"  Take  heed  unto  thyself,  and  unto  the  doctrine."  See  to  it,  in 
every  case,  that  the  doctrine  which  you  preach  is  indeed  the  doc- 
trine of  the  Scriptures,  and  that  you  present  it  in  the  same  practi- 
cal manner  in  which  it  is  presented  in  the  Scriptures. 

Continue  in  these  efforts,  "  for  in  doing  this  thou  shalt  both  save 
thyself  and  them  that  hear  thee."  You  will  be  found  at  last  to 
have  been  faithful ;  and  on  the  day  of  final  account,  you  will  hear 
the  voice  of  our  Master,  "  Well  done,  good  and  faithful  servant : 
enter  thou  into  the  joy  of  thy  Lord." 

'  Thou  shalt  both  save  thyself  mid  them  that  hear  thee" 
What  an  endearing  relation,  my  brother,  in  which  to  stand  to  them 
that  hear  us !  What  a  motive  to  exertion  !  A  due  impression  of 
this  will  awaken  r.nd  direct  all  your  energies.  It  will  help  you  in 
the  selection  of  your  subjects  for  the  pulpit.  It  uill  lead  you  to 
treat  them  in  a  proper  manner,  and  to  exhibit  them  ni  a  proper  style. 
You  will  employ  such  language  in  shall  be  intelligible  to  the  plain- 
est individual  that  hears  you,  ai"'  as  shall  at  the  same  time  not  of- 
fend the  taste,  unless  it  be  a  vitiated  one,  of  the  most  literary  and  cul- 
tivated. Your  object  will  be  to  commend  the  gospel  of  the  grace  of 
God  to  the  consci(;nces  of  ah — of  the  poor  as  well  as  of  the  rich,  and 
of  the  wealthy  and  refined  as  well  as  of  the  poor  and  unlettered.  B^or 
you  know  that  they  all  alike  need  the  gospel,  and  that  without  it  they 
all  alike  must  perish.  Now  as  the  gospel  is  adapted  to  the  wants  and 
the  woes  of  men  of  every  rank  and  condition,  so  it  is  the  signal  privi- 
lege of  the  minister  of  the  gospel  to  be  a  mrui  of  all  ranks  and  of 
no  rank.  You  will  tliou  pass  readily  and  cheerfully  from  one  class 
of  persons  to  another — from  the  mansions  of  the  wealthy  to  the 


col 
anl 
aij 
tol 

yi 

ill 


fc#-. 


TJjcro 

Epis- 
read, 
|ii.I,2; 

pd  with 

em  on- 

ir  iioly 

your 

ff>  aim 

tluiJy 


39 

cotlages  of  the  poor ;  and  wherever  you  go,  you  will  lot  it  be  seen 
and  fell  liat  you  watch  for  souls  as  they  that  must  give  account, 
and  that  the  great  object  ever  present  to  your  mind  is  to  win  souls 
to  Christ  and  eternal  life.  Thus  you  will,  as  far  as  possible,  make 
your  visits  pastoral  visits.  And  you  will  not  forget  the  abodes  of 
the  mourning,  nor  the  chambers  of  the  sick  and  the  dying.  You 
will  remember  the  grand  commission  given  by  our  Lord  :  "  Go  ye 
into  all  the  world,  and  preach  the  gospel  to  every  creature.  He 
that  bclieveth  and  is  baptized  shall  be  saved  ;  but  he  that  believeth 
not  shall  be  damned. "( 1 )  "Go  ye,  therefore,  and  teach  all  nations, 
baptizing  them  in  the  name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of 
the  Holy  Ghost ;  teaching  them  to  observe  all  things  wliatsoever  I 
have  commanded  you  :  and  lo,  I  am  with  you  alway,  even  unto  the 
end  of  the  world."(2) 

"  Teach  all  nations  :"  teach  all  as  far  as  possible  that  are  capa- 
ble of  being  taught,  in  whatever  nation  they  may  be  found.  Teach 
them  the  first  lesson  of  Christianity,  the  lesson  which  if  any  one 
does  not  receive,  he  is  not  a  disciple.  Teach  them  that  they  are 
guilty  before  God,  and  utterly  ruined  in  themselves :  but  that  the 
blood  of  Jesus  Christ  his  Sou  cleanseth  from  all  sin.  Point  them 
to  the  Lamb  of  God  as  their  only  hope.  Urge  on  their  consciences 
repentance  toward  God,  and  faith  toward  our  Loid  Jesus  Christ. 
And  when,  by  the  accompanying  energy  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  they 
have  been  effectually  tauglit ;  when,  penitent  and  contrite,  they 
look  humbly  to  the  cross  of  Christ,  and  cordially  rely  on  him  as 
presented  in  the  gospel,  and  are  disposed  to  sit  as  disciples  at  his 
feet,  and  learn  of  him,  administer  baptism  to  them ;  "  baptizing 
them  in  the  name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy 
Ghost."  Then  you  are  to  lead  them  onward  in  the  Christian  course, 
"  teaching  them  to  observe  all  things  whatsoever  I  have  command- 
ed you."  One  of  the  things  which  our  Saviorr  has  commanded 
for  the  observance  of  his  disciples  is  to  cornm<'morate  his  death  by 
partaking  of  certain  significant  emblems.  To  such,  then,  as  have 
exhibited  the  first  profession  and  the  divinely  appointed  pledge  of 
discipleship,  by  being  baptized  according  to  the  command  of  Christ, 
and  as  have  "  continued  steadfastly  in  the  Apostles'  doctrine  and 
fellowship,"(!i)  you  are  to  administer  the  Lord's  Supper.  But  your 
work  is  not  yet  done.     You  are  still  to  lead  them  onward,  "  teach- 


i   h 


(1)  Mark  xvi,  15,  16.        (2)  Mutt,  x.\viii.  19.  20.        (3)  Acts  ii.  11.  12 


I 

V 


40 

ing  them  to  observe  all  things  whatsoever  I  have  commanded." 
You  will  lead  them  with  correct  views  of  religious  truth,  to  tho 
wliole  circle  of  Christian  duties,  maintaining  a  pure  and  faithful 
discipline  in  the  Church  of  Christ,  and  adorning  the  doctrine  of 
God  our  Saviour  in  all  things. 

"  Of  these  things  put  them  in  remembrance,  charging  them  be- 
fore the  Lord  that  they  strive  not  about  words  to  no  profit,  but  to 
the  subverting  of  the  hearers.  Study  to  show  thyself  approved  un- 
to God,  a  workman  that  needeth  not  to  be  ashamed,  rightly  divid- 
ing the  word  of  truth. "(1) 

Give  to  every  one,  whether  he  be  a  believer  or  an  unbeliever,  a 
portion  in  due  season.  Beware  of  that  kind  of  preaching  which 
leaves  a  whole  audience  to  imagine  they  are  regenerated  when  they 
are  not  Address  them,  dear  brother,  though  it  may  sometimes  be 
painful  to  you,  address  them  in  such  a  manner  as  shall  discriminate 
their  respective  characters,  and  lay  open  their  hearts  to  themselves. 
Then,  by  motives  drawn  from  the  cross  of  Christ,  and  from  the 
judgment-seat  of  Christ ;  by  motives  drawn  not  only  from  the  ter- 
rors of  the  Lord,  but  also  from  the  love  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus,  urge 
on  every  one  the  duties  which  the  Apostle  urged ;  and,  standing  as 
it  were  in  sight  of  the  cross  of  Christ,  and  of  the  judgment-seat  of 
Christ,  warn  every  man,  and  beseech  every  man. 

Thus,  my  dear  brother,  toiling  in  the  name  and  in  the  strength 
of  him  whose  we  are,  and  whom  we  serve,  you  will,  as  you  have 
already  intimated,  be  cheered  by  his  voice,  Lo,  I  am  with  you  al' 

wo  I/. 

Connected  with  these  services  a  hymn  was  sung ;  (247.  I« 
Watts,  119,  B.  L) 

Christ  and  his  cross  are  all  our  theme. 

After  the  ordination  of  Mr.  Caswell,  followed  that  of  the  Deacons. 
It  was  introduced  with  remarks  like  these  : 

In  a  Church  of  Christ,  every  member  has  a  part  to  perform. 
Every  member  is  to  be  active  and  useful  in  his  place.  And  every 
one,  whether  male  or  female,  may  do  much,  and  ought  to  do  much 
to  promote  the  cause  of  Christ. 

At  the  same  time,  it  is  an  obvious  dictate  of  wisdom  to  have 
some  particular  individuals  specially  intrusted  with  the  care  of  the 
Church,  With  this  view,  the  Apostle  Paul  gave  directions  to  Ti- 
tus that  Elders  be  ordained  in  every  city. 


(1)  2  Tim.  ii.  14, 1.'? 


41 


idcd." 
to  the 
lithfu] 
ne  of 


In 


The  general  term  Elders,  as  used  in  the  New  Testament,  often 
included  the  loading  men  or  officers  of  a  Christian  Church,  whatev- 
er might  be  the  particular  term  by  which  they  were  severally  desig- 
nated, whether  Bishop,  or  Overseer,  or  Pastor,  or  Minister  of  the 
word,  or  Deacon.  Thus  Paul  sent  for  the  Elders  of  Ephesus ,  and 
lie  proceeded  to  address  them  as  Overseers  or  Bishops.  And  thus, 
too,  there  were  Elders  who  preached,  or  labored  in  word  and  doc- 
trine ;  and  there  were  Elders  who  did  not ;  as  when  the  Apostle  says, 
"Let  the  Elders  that  rule  well  be  counted  worthy  of  double  honor, 
especially  they  who  labor  in  word  and  doctrine."(l)  From  what 
immediately  precedes  this  passage,  it  appears  that  the  Elders  who 
did  not  labor  in  word  and  doctrine  were  Deacons.  They  were 
associated  with  the  Ministers  of  the  word,  as  helpers  in  the  care, 
and  government,  and  service  of  the  Church. 

The  same  fact  appears  also  from  the  account  which,  in  the  sixth 
chapter  of  the  Acts  of  the  Apostles,  we  have  of  the  first  appoint- 
ment of  Deacons.  The  Apostles  were  overburdened  with  the  du- 
ties connected  with  the  care  of  the  Church.  They  sought  and  ob- 
tained help.  They  wished  to  give  themselves  to  the  higher  and 
more  public  and  difficult  services ;  while  the  Deacons  might  aid 
them  by  attending  to  the  more  private  and  pecuniary  affairs  con- 
nected with  the  well-being  of  tlie  Church. 

From  the  object  of  their  appointment,  and  from  the  character 
required  of  the  men,  as  well  as  from  subsequent  allusions  in  the 
New  Testament,  it  is  obvious  that  the  Deacons  were  to  lighten  the 
burden  of  the  Ministers  of  the  word  by  taking  upon  themselves,  as 
occasion  might  require,  the  subordinate  and  less  prominent  duties 
connected  with  promoting  the  interests  of  a  Church  They  would 
of  course  attend  to  the  pecuniary  concerns,  and  see  that  the  duty 
of  the  Church  in  regard  to  these  concerns  was  performed.  They 
would  naturally  become  the  counsellors  of  the  widow,  and  the  or- 
phan, and  the  poor.  Being  men  of  honest  report,  full  of  the  Holy 
Ghost  and  of  wisdom,  it  would  naturally  devolve  on  them  to  help 
in  arranging  the  bus-iness  of  the  Clmrch,  and  prepare  it  for  being 
properly  laid  before  the  body  ;  to  assist  the  Pastor  in  adjusting  diffi- 
culties that  might  occasionally  arise  ;  to  encourage  his  heart  and 
strengthen  his  hands  in  efforts  to  give  religious  instruction  to  the 
young,  and  especially   to  the  poor;    and,  in  a  word,  to  counsel 


/ 


(1)  I  Tim.  v.  17. 


F 


42 

and  co-o]>pratn  with  liitn,  and  in  thoir  sphere  be  diligent  and  faith- 
ful herviints  of  the  Cliurch  for  Christ's  sake. 

You  percoivo,  my  brf-thren,  the  nature  of  the  office  of  Deacons; 
and  corresponding  with  it  is  the  character  required.  They  must 
be  "  men  of  honest  report,  full  of  the  Holy  Ghost  and  wisdom. 
Likewise  must  the  Deacons  be  grave,  not  double-tongued,  not  giv- 
en to  iriiirh  wine,  not  greedy  of  filthy  lucre;  holding  the  mystery 
of  thi  faitii  in  a  pure  conscience.  Let  the  Deacons  be  the  hus- 
bands of  one  will ,  ruling  their  children  and  their  own  houses  well. 
For  they  that  have  used  the  office  of  a  Deacon  well,  purchase  to 
themselves  a  good  degree  and  great  boldness  in  the  faith  which  is 
in  Christ  Jesus."(l) 

Let  now  the  men  be  presented  whom  you  have  appointed  to  this 
office. 

One  of  the  members  of  the  Church  then  presented  to  the  Minis- 
ters of  the  word  the  brethren  who  had  been  appointed  Deacons,  ex- 
pressing briefly,  in  the  name  of  the  Church,  the  motives  which  had 
led  to  the  appointment,  the  confidence  cherished  in  the  brethren 
selected,  and  tlie  hope  of  the  blessing  of  God  upon  them  and  upon 
the  whole  body.  « 

Prayer  was  then  offijred  ;  and  the  ministers  laid  their  hands  up- 
on them,  thus  publicly  designating  them  to  their  office,  and  fer- 
vently commending  them  to  the  grace  of  God. 

A  hymn  was  sung,  and  the  services  vvere  concluded  by  the  pro- 
nouncing of  a  benediction. 


anco 
ing  1 


i 


On  the  Lord's-day,  Oct.  14th,  Baptism  was  again  administered, 
ft  was  ol  the  same  impressive  character  as  on  the  former  occasion, 
and  attended  with  similar  circumstances.  In  the  afternoon,  eight 
persons,  (those  who  were  baptized  in  the  morning,  and  others  who 
had  hern  exemplary  members  of  a  Baptist  Church,)  solemnly  as- 
sentiiJtS  before  a  large  assembly  in  the  chapeK  to  the  articles  of  be- 
lief and  covenant,  received  the  hand  of  fellowship  that  was  j^re- 
sented  in  the  name  of  the  Church,  and  were  affi'ctionatcly  wel- 
comed to  their  phices  as  members.  The  Lord's  Supper  was  then 
admmislcred.     The  congregation  remained,  witnessuig  the  observ* 


h 

SI 


(1)  1  Tim.  iii.  S—Vi 


^i^jljti. 


ind  faith' 

Deacons ; 
hey  must 

wisdom. 
,  not  giv- 
e  mystery 

the  hus- 
uses  well, 
irchase  to 

which  is 

ted  to  this 

ho  Minis- 

lacons,  ex- 

which  had 

brethren 

and  upon 

hands  up- 
3,  and  fcr- 

>y  the  pra^ 


linistered. 
occasion, 
i>on,  c'iglit 
thers  who 
emnly  as- 
;les  of  bc- 
:  was  pre- 
itely  vvel- 
was  then 
le  observ- 


43 

ancc  with  the  most  respectful  attention.     At  the  close  the  follow- 
ing hymn  was  sung:  (5'2l.     lu  Watts,  13,  B.  HI.) 

How  sweet  and  awful  is  the  jjlace. 

With  Christ  witliin  the  doors  ; 
While  Everlasting  Love  displays 

The  choicest  of  her  stores ! 

Love  mov'd  the  pity  of  our  God — 

Downward  his  chariot  rolls ; 
Here  peace  and  pardon  bought  with  blood 

Is  food  for  dying  souls. 

While  all  our  hearts  and  all  our  songs 

Join  to  admire  the  least, 
Each  of  us  cries,  with  thankful  tongues, 

"  Lord,  why  was  I  a  guest  ? 

Why  was  I  made  to  hear  thy  voice. 

And  enter  while  there's  room, 
While  thousands  make  a  wretched  choice, 

And  rather  starve  than  come  ?" 

"Twas  the  same  love  that  spread  the  feast. 

That  sweetly  forced  us  in ; 
Else  we  had  still  refused  to  taste, 

And  perish'd  in  our  sin. 

Pity  the  nations,  O  our  God  ? 

Constrain  the  earth  to  come  ; 
Send  thy  victorious  word  abroad, 

And  bring  the  strangers  home. 

We  long  to  see  thy  churches  full, 

That  all  the  chosen  race 
May,  with  one  voice,  and  heart,  and  sou!, 

Sing  thy  redeeming  grace. 

When  the  hymn  was  finished.  Prof  Chase  uttered,  from  a  full 
heart,  the  Apostle's  most  ardent  desire  :  The  ^race  of  our  Lord  Je- 
sus Christ,  the  love  nf  God,  and  the  commiinion  of  the  Holy  Ghost 
he  toith  you  all.     Amen, 


44 


/ 


Having  now  brought  to  a  termination  our  narrative  of  the  rise 
and  formation  of  the  Baptist  Church  in  Qranville-strcet,  we  have 
only  in  conclusion  to  offer  a  few  brief  remaiks. 

In  the  preceding  pages  are  exhibited  some  views  respecting  the 
externul  matters  of  religion,  not  universally  received.  These 
though  ct  minor  consequence  when  compared  with  the  work  of  re- 
ligion in  i.ie  heart,  are  nevertheless  derived  as  we  conceive  from 
the  purest  source  of  truth.  They  are,  therefore,  not  unimportant. 
And  as  light  dawns,  on  patient  inquiry,  they  will,  we  trust,  spread 
through  the  Christian  world,  until  the  day  shall  arrive  when  there 
shall  be  universally  among  all  the  redeemed  on  earth,  "one  Lord, 
one  faith,  one  baptism." 

But  if  in  external  matters  Christians  have  been  suffered  to  fall 
into  various  practices,  and  to  arrive  at  different  judgments,  there 
yet  remains  the  gratifying  reflection  that  in  the  more  important  and 
vital  things  of  salvation,  they  are  not  left  to  differ.  Wherever  the 
standard  of  the  cross  has  been  raised,  in  the  eastern  or  the  west- 
ern world, — in  the  frozen  regions  of  the  north,  or  the  parched 
deserts  of  the  torrid  zone, — amidst  the  polished  and  scientific  cir- 
cles of  civilized  society,  or  the  rude  and  wandering  tribes  of  un- 
taught savages, — every  where,  and  in  all  ages,  have  the  saving  doc- 
trines of  the  Gospel  beamed  on  the  awakened  conscience  with  the 
same  hallowed  and  unvarying  light.  Simple  but  powerful  is  the 
truth  which  finds  its  way  equally  into  the  hearts  of  men  of  the 
meanest  as  well  as  the  highest  order  of  mental  power. 

Christ  dying  for  the  ungodly,  and  the  fruits  of  that  death,  "  Re- 
pentance toward  God  and  faith  toward  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,"  con- 
vey to  the  mind  which  the  Holy  Spirit  illuminates  no  obscure  or  am- 
biguous idea,  and  in  those  simple  expressions  are  contained  the  gos- 
pel of  the  grace  of  God, 

1.1  presenting,  then,  this  narrative  to  the  public  we  offer  no  new 
religion,  but  that  which  has  received  the  sanction  of  the  best  and 
the  wisest  of  every  denomination  among  professuig  Christians.  If, 
therefore,  ihe  preceding  account  of  Divine  truth  and  religious 
experience  comes  to  the  minds  of  any  with  the  aspect  of  nov- 
elty, we  would  earnestly,  as  in  the  sight  of  God,  and  in  view 


^>nS&' 


of  the  risf 
;et,  we  have 


id. 


meeting  the 
These 

work  of  re- 
tnceive  from 
inimportant. 
rest,  sprearl 

when  there 
"  one  Lord, 

bred  to  fall 
nents,  there 
jportant  and 
''herever  the 
or  the  west- 
he  parched 
sientific  cir- 
■ibes  of  un- 
saving  doc- 
nce  with  tlje 
k'erful  is  the 
men  of  the 

eath,  "  Re- 
hrist,"  con- 
cure  or  am- 
aed  the  gos- 


45 

uf  llic  value  of  their  immortal  souIb,  b^nnech  them  to  exKmino 
whether  the  doctrines  of  the  Bible  are  not  still  to  them  a  novelty 
We  beseech  them  seriously  to  consider  whether  they  have  not 
hitherto  been  contented  to  pursue  the  easy  course  of  the  world, 
both  in  faith  and  practice,  buried  under  the  weight  of  custom,  be- 
wildered with  the  dreams  of  prejudice,  and  taking  as  their  portion 
the  perishable  inheritance  of  earthly  things. 

The  indivitJ'als  whose  experience  of  Divine  truth  has  been  here 
exhibited,  stand  before  them  as  witnesses  to  testify  with  all  godly 
sincerity,  with  all  soberness  of  mind  and  judgment,  that  this  expe- 
rience is  no  fable — no  wild  dream — no  hasty  notion,  rashly  and  in- 
considerately adopted.  But  with  all  humility,  and  at  the  same  time 
with  all  firmness,  they  declare  that  they  speak  that  which  they  do 
know,  and  testify  that  which  they  have  seen  ;  that  there  is  indeed 
a  Divine  and  Holy  Spirit,  the  promise  of  the  Saviour,  who  still 
works  powerfully  in  the  hearts  of  believers,  regenerating  their 
souls,  and  leading  them  in  the  way  of  everlasting  life.  And  while 
as  faithful  witnesses  they  affirm  this  truth,  as  affectionate  friends 
they  earnestly  pray  that  all  who  hear  their  testimony,  may,  under 
the  influence  of  the  living  God,  learn  experimentally  the  reality  of 
this  truth,  and  thus  be  brought  to  the  knowledge  and  the  love  of 
Him  who  is  "the  way,  and  the  truth,  and  the  life  " 


tTer  no  new 
le  best  and 
stians.  If, 
i  religious 
3ct  of  nov- 
id  in  view 


'  lif    -—  -<U«"  -  -   -aP-s/ 


m^^ 


APPENDIX. 


Wc  avail  ourselves  of  the  opportunity  furnished  by  the  unex- 
pected delay  in  |)ul)lisliin}r  tin;  prccudiiijf  iiccount,  to  i\|>|H  rui  ii  few 
reuiiirks  relative  to  the  imitfrnss  of  the  (irnnvilh;  Street  Church  to 
the  present  period,  June,  1828.  For  this  addition  we  deem  no 
apology  necessary.  They  who  have  watched  over  the  vine  in  its 
incipient  state,  will  rejoico  to  sec  it  spreading  with  a  healthful 
growth. 

From  the  opening  of  our  spacious  chapel,  large  numbers,  and 
especially  on  the  evening  of  the  Christian  Suhbath,  have  attended 
the  preaching  of  the  gospel.  The  deep  attention  and  solemnity 
which  we  have  often  witncss(;(l,  seem  to  be  pledges  that  the  messa- 
ges of  evangelical  triUh  and  grace  will  not  have  been  delivered  in 
vain.  During  the  winter  and  spring,  several  persons  from  other 
Churches  of  the  same  faith  and  order  united  with  us.  Others 
who  had  obtained  like  precious  faith,  came  I'orward  at  different 
times,  and  stated  before  the  Church  tiie  reason  of  the  hope  that 
was  in  them,  and  were  received  as  candidates  for  7*..;)tism.  The 
Lord's-day,  June  1st,  was  appointed  for  the  administration  of  the 
ordinance.  The  spot  selected  for  the  purpose  was  on  bedford  Ba- 
sin, near  the  place  where  it  had  before  been  administered.  The 
day  was  cloudy,  with  occasional  mists,  but  not  uncomlbrtable. 
By  the  time  appointed  for  the  exercises  to  commence,  notwith- 
standing the  slight  unpleasantness  of  the  weather,  a  large  con- 
course of  respectable  persons  of  both  sexes  had  assembled  at  the 
water  side  to  witness  the  ceremony.  The  attending  circumstan- 
ces— the  water  before  us — the  e.\i)andcd  heavens — the  multitude 
on  shore,  and  the  vicinity  of  numerous  boats,  could  scarce  fail  to 
remind  one  of  ancient  times,  v'l>f>n  the  Author  of  our  faith  taught 
the  listening  nmltitudes  on  the  sliores  of  the  sea  of  Galilee. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Caswell,  who  still  continues  to  labor  among  us, 
commenced  the  e.\ercises  bv  calling  the  attention  of  the  audience 


1 

V 


48 

tu  tlic  Nacrcdncss  of  thn  day,  and  of  tho  occasion ;  anci  invited 
tlicin  to  ciiKngn  with  becoming  reverence  in  tiie  worship  of  llini 
wlio  "  duelleth  nut  in  icnipioH  made  with  hands."  A  hymn  wa> 
then  sung  ;— 

Jesus,  and  shall  it  ever  bo — 
A  mortal  man  ushain'd  of  tlico ' 

After  prayer,  tlic  congregation  were  addressed  at  Homo  lengtl. 
from  Matt,  xxviii.  ID.  "  Go  ye,  tlierclbre,  and  tmch  all  niition.'<, 
bupti/ing  them  in  the  name  of  the  Futiier,  and  uf  the  Son,  and  of 
the  Holy  Ghost." 

Tlie  candidates,  fifteen  in  number,  wore  then  successively  led 
"  down  into  the  water,"  and  "  were  bapti^e(l,  both  men  and  wo- 
men," according  to  the  example  of  the  first  Cliristiuns,  exhibited  in 
the  eighth  chapter  of  the  Acts  of  the  Apostles. 

During  the  whole  service,  it  was  pleosiiig  to  witness,  on  the 
part  of  the  audience,  that  decorum  and  seriousness  which  all  consid- 
erate persons  will  ever  bring  to  tlie  solemiiilies  of  divine  worship. 
In  the  aflfrnoon,  when  the  persons  bupti/ed  were  received  into 
the  Church,  (whose  number  of  members  has  now  increased  from 
seven  to  forty,)  the  right  hand  of  fellowship,  accompanied  with  u 
suitable  address,  was  given  by  the  Pastor  in  the  presence  of  a  nu- 
oicrouti  and  deeply  interested  assembly. 


N. 


N. 


. 


Af 


